Staisha Hamilton DSW, MSW, LCAS

I grew up in Western New York in a matriarchal home. My grandmother was strong, stern, and no-nonsense. My mother embodied some of those same qualities, however, hers were more pronounced. This made for interesting dialogue within my home. As I have gotten older and have been a social worker for over a decade, I’ve realized the true impact of transgenerational trauma and how it manifests in many multigenerational homes.

Although my home was filled with acts of love and kindness, the verbal affirmation of that was sometimes lost. As a child I was angry, I acted out, fought frequently, and was often suspended. As an adult I understand my anger masked the sadness and the constant struggle of finding myself in a world that did not have a lot of “Staisha’s” walking around it. This struggle would continue into adulthood. 

To channel the anger, I was placed in every sport, however, the one that would stick would be classical ballet. Although I searched and searched for other ballerinas that looked like me, it wouldn’t be until I was out of high school that I would find a piece of the representation I was yearning for. This internal battle would continue but somehow the movement of dance would provide the space and time I needed to stop being “so angry.” 

In addition to being a social worker, I currently teach ballet to local students. I also offer movement and processing sessions to groups of Black women in early childhood, corporate, and nonprofit settings. Throughout my work, as a clinician and dancer, I have demonstrated that art and clinical work can exist in the same arena.  I intend to provide versatility within the process of healing in offering dance and movement, meditative, and grounding techniques in addition to traditional talk therapy.

I have over a decade of experience as a social worker, specifically working with clients struggling with addiction. Additionally, my target areas include:

• Racial stress and trauma

• Interpersonal conflict

• Relational struggles

• Navigating the world as a Black woman

• Healing from intergenerational trauma and generational curses

• Life transitions

• Black LGBTQ affirmation

• Grief

• Depression 

• Anxiety

I enjoy group work as well as individual sessions. I am currently committed to social activism, advocacy, and reform. I intentionally use intervention strategies that are culturally sound, trauma-informed, and evidence-based. I believe in a person-centered approach that internally ignites, strengthens, and cultivates room for holistic awareness and growth.

If any of this speaks to you, reach out, and we’ll start your journey together.