Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Identities: African American, cisgender, hetero, female
Language(s) Spoken: English
Phone: 626-393-0446
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/claudia-owens-shields-pasadena-ca/1070595
Get to know Dr. Claudia Owens Shields:
Dr. Claudia Owens Shields is a former clinical professor, who taught at the graduate level for 30 years. She is a licensed psychologist, specializing in Multicultural Community Clinical Psychology, and is a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Counseling Center at Whittier College, where she treated substance use disorders, affective and anxiety disorders, and issues of normal development. She later provided psychological services at the Student Health Center at Mt. San Antonio College, where she also helped launch the college’s Ally Program, dedicated to suicide prevention for LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Shields worked extensively on hate crime prevention, suicide prevention, and diversity and leadership programs for the City of Azusa, Azusa Police Department, and the Azusa Unified School District. Dr. Shields maintains a private clinical and consulting practice. Dr. Shields also has over 30 years of administrative experience, including serving as Department Chair of the Clinical Psy.D. Program at the Chicago School, Director of Clinical Training for Antioch University, and as President and Executive Director at a non-profit organization in Century City, and service on non-profit boards. During that time she received commendations from the Mayor of Los Angeles, California’s Governor, and was also named a Woman of Achievement by the Century City Chamber of Commerce. She also recently received The Distinguished Teaching Award in Multicultural Excellence from The Chicago School.
What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me?
Affirmative psychotherapy means working to dismantle the oppressive factors (internalized and external) that impact one’s ability to know, experience and celebrate themselves fully. Beyond “neutral” or “non-judgemental” it is actively celebratory and ferociously protective of one’s rights to be who they truly are and to love authentically.
What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?
Depressive and anxiety disorders; grief & loss; internalized oppression; life transitions
EDUCATION & LICENSE
Education:
Business Administration
Multicultural Community Clinical Psychology
Ph.D. Multicultural Community Clinical Psychology
Years in Practice: 8
School: The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University
Year Graduated: 1994
License: #24641, California
Additional Credentials: Distinguished Teaching Award, Chicago School of Professional Psychology
OFFICE INFORMATION
595 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91101
FINANCES
Fee Range: $195 per session (private pay rate)
Accepted Payment Methods: Debit, credit and Zelle
Accepted Insurance Plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachussetts, Blue Cross Blue Shields New Jersey, Blue Cross California, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, Magellan, Oxford, United Healthcare