Ms. Sharlene Legendre

LCSW

What Was My Path to Becoming a Therapist? My path to becoming a therapist began with working directly in New York City public schools as a school social worker. I was surrounded every day by children, teens, and families who were carrying far more than anyone realized — stress, trauma, grief, pressure, and unspoken emotional pain. I saw how often people were expected to “push through” without the support they needed. What stayed with me was how early emotional struggles begin, and how rarely people are given space to slow down, feel, and be understood. Many of the individuals I worked with didn’t have the words for what they were experiencing hey just knew something didn’t feel right. I learned quickly that listening, consistency, and emotional safety could make a real difference. As my work expanded beyond schools into community and clinical settings, I became even more committed to helping people understand their emotional experiences rather than feel ashamed of them. I was especially drawn to working with individuals, including men, who had learned to carry responsibility quietly, suppress emotions, or stay strong for others at the expense of their own well-being. I chose this profession because I believe healing happens when people feel seen without judgment and supported without pressure. Therapy, to me, is not about fixing anyone it’s about creating a space where people can be honest, develop insight, and build healthier ways of coping and connecting. My clinical training, leadership work, and ongoing education continue to shape how I practice, but at the core, my inspiration has always been the same: helping people feel less alone and more equipped to move forward in their lives.