Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharife Gacel.
Hi Sharife, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My lifetime dream has been to stay curious and empower others to reach their goals in a similar way to how others have inspired me. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I’m able to do this through the private practice that I founded eight years ago and currently operate. My work as a psychotherapist has granted me the opportunity to hold space for clients working through life transitions, anxiety, stress, LGBTQ+ issues, multicultural issues, or a variety of other mental health and wellness concerns. As tough as the pandemic was for transitioning my practice from an in-person setting to telebehavioral health, it provided the opportunity to reach an even greater population. Because of this, I’ve been able to partner with other referral sources throughout the state. In addition, I am now fully licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Colorado. Working as a therapist during a pandemic has shown me the resilience and potential we’re all capable of. What once might have seemed like an unattainable dream for my clients has now become a reality that came about out of necessity and self-love.
Speaking of dreams becoming reality, I’m truly honored to be a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador (SSA) which is a grassroots effort to provide astronomy and space related outreach to local communities. The perseverance that stems from my work as a therapist is able to also be shared by others through virtual, in person, and social media outlets. I’m a science communicator for the SSA program and also sit on the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Astronomical society as the Publicity Chair, whose mission is to make astronomy accessible to anyone.
Somehow being able to merge the worlds of mental health with human spaceflight works. By day I wear the hat of a psychotherapist/business owner and by night, I wear the hat of a space educator/amateur astronomer.
Before receiving my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with honors from Stetson University, I attended the University of Central Florida where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology & Microbiology (now Biomedical Sciences) and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Life turned from studying the smallest elements in the cosmos to teaching about the largest elements in the universe, all while seeing where humans fit in the mix.
Looking into the future, I see myself continuing to explore the Overview Effect more in both my private practice and in space outreach. As described by astronauts (and I paraphrase), this concept explains the perspective shift that happens to someone when they view Earth as an outsider looking in. An understanding of our interconnectedness can be achieved. By a similar token, when we gain perspective on our own situations, the idea is that we can shake things up to move past our own “stuck” points. In this way, my purpose is to guide others to overcome obstacles through empowerment and compassion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any journey worth taking, there are bumps in the road. The last thing I ever imagined myself doing was being a space educator and being invited by NASA several times to attend rocket launches and document them on social media on their behalf. I never imagined that I could own and operate a successful mental health practice. Getting to this point has required a lot of soul-searching to even imagine that someone like me, a Cuban-Lebanese American, hailing from Little Havana in Miami, had a place. And yet, I’ve never felt more welcome. I’ve been incredibly blessed to have mentors and guides along the way who have encouraged me to not discount my abilities before even trying. In other words, you’ll never know what you’re capable of until you apply. Learning to never give up and persist in my dreams regardless of naysayers. Through the ups and downs of being a business owner, working in mental health, and being a multiple minority, any adversity has connected me with the “why” of why I do the work. Simply put, it’s because of the obstacles that I’ve learned resilience, persistence, and hope.
We’ve been impressed with Koi Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor committed to helping individuals learn how to manage anxiety, stress, & life transitions. My work focuses on creating healthy coping skills, reframing ineffective behaviors, and finding solutions, particularly within the multicultural and LGBT+ communities.
When we reach a crossroads in life, we might feel stressed or anxious because of the life transition. Together we can collaborate to heal stuck points. This might include things such as a change in career, relocation, changing family dynamics, multicultural concerns, adjustment to college, racial/inequality stressors, concerns around sexual orientation, or reaching personal milestones. Regardless of the reasons, I use a strength-based approach.
In sessions, we will work as a team to introduce perspectives that will help you connect with your true self. You deserve to feel heard, find your voice, and overcome obstacles through empowerment and compassion.
I believe in taking a collaborative approach to helping clients reach their goals. I’m passionate about creating resources for individuals struggling with anxiety and life transitions and am interested in participating in workshops, speaking engagements, webinars, and podcasts.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
It wouldn’t be a surprise to say that I was interested in airplanes, rockets, animals, and the ocean as a child. Weekends would be either visiting Weeks Air Museum in Homestead, FL, in Key Largo with my family or volunteering with a local greyhound adoption group. I’ve been an advocate for animal adoptions for as far back as I can remember. Now on Instagram, my adopted greyhound Anubis and I are able to showcase content related to both mental health and space. He’s the voice that captures the message in a funny and relatable way. I’m currently a Divemaster scuba diver, which was an evolution from growing up on and near the ocean. I also just completed my private pilot flight ground school, which is an extension of my love for aerospace. Personality-wise, I’ve been described as curious and an explorer, taking calculated risks. I was also in the performing arts, specifically a ballet dancer, for 18 years.
Finally, tying all elements of my life together is my love for the visual arts. I’m a pen and ink stipple artist and showcase my life creatively through drawing. My grandfather and I would spend countless hours drawing together, a hobby that has continued throughout my life. I’m currently working on an Astronomy Art series, which personifies ancient gods and goddesses using stippling techniques.
Contact Info:
- Email: sgacel@gmail.com
- Website: www.sharifegacel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anubis_the_greyt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koicounseling
- Other: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ambassadors/2050/
