Insight Psychotherapy Services, PLLC

"Healing begins the moment we stop shrinking ourselves to survive, and start reclaiming our right to be whole."

Shiann Brown- Atuegbu, LCSW
CEO & Psychotherapist

“We wear the mask that grins and lies, it hides our cheeks and shades our eyes….” By Paul Laurence DunbarIf this quote rings true for you, I’m here to help you unmask and live in the truth of who you are – powerful, complex, and unique.As a Therapist, I’d be honored to help you begin the liberating work of unmasking. For those of us who experience the daily effects of multiple forms of oppression it can be difficult to navigate the challenges we face on our own.We all benefit from having support, guidance and understanding from someone, such as myself, who listens attentively, genuinely cares and consistently encourages you to keep taking to the steps to live life fully – as we are all intended to do.I am a gentle, affirming and courageous ally who will help you explore, “what happened to you” while collaborating with you to boldly identify & apply solutions which empower you to BE a “Generational Trauma Breaker”.Systems of oppression contribute to the manifestation of “dis-ease” such as anxiety, depression, PTSD-like symptoms, substance use and racial identity issues.Together, I will assist with doing the healing work needed to address the impact of oppressive systems in your life, so that there is movement through the world as the true, unmasked YOU!

Therapy is an act of Self Love

We Specialize in Assisting with:

  • Racial Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Grief

  • PTSD

  • Substance Use

  • Codependency

  • Mood Disorders

  • Relationship Issues

  • Self Esteem

  • Family Conflict

Our Mission

Is to provide culturally attuned,
trauma-informed mental health care that affirms, uplifts, and empowers Black individuals, youth, and families. We are committed to supporting our clients as they heal from the emotional and psychological effects of racism, misogynoir, and generational trauma—while building resilience, self-worth, and wholeness.

Our Vision

We envision a world where people are free to live fully—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—unburdened by systemic oppression.Insight Psychotherapy Services strives to be a sanctuary for healing, liberation, and transformation—where therapy becomes a tool for personal growth and collective justice.

Our Core Values

Cultural Affirmation
We celebrate and center the cultural identity, history, and lived experiences of Black people in all their beauty and complexity.
Justice-Centered Healing
We believe healing is a radical act. Our work acknowledges and addresses the mental health toll of racism, sexism, and systemic inequality.
Trauma-Informed Practice
We approach care with safety, empathy, and deep awareness of the lasting effects of trauma across the lifespan and generations.
Empowerment & Liberation
Our goal is to help clients reclaim their voice, restore their power, and live aligned with their truth.
Intergenerational Wellness
Healing doesn’t stop with the individual—it echoes through families, communities, and future generations.
Integrity & Professional Excellence
We are committed to ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based care—delivered with respect, humility, and accountability.

04

Magna turpis odio lacinia. Congue imperdiet adipiscing fermentum fusce felis. Quam feugiat aliquam egestas sodales massa ipsum. Consectetur ante sollicitudin mollis sociis. Montes mauris pellentesque vitae quis enim libero risus feugiat.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT theorizes that our thoughts and behaviors influence our actions. It is based on the idea that all behaviors are learned and that behaviors can be changed. This form of therapy looks to identify and help change potentially self-destructive or unhealthy behaviors. CBT can also include careful considerations of sequences of thoughts and behaviors, identifying points of intervention. CBT notes that altering either thoughts or behaviors can lead to change, as can shifting the consequences.

Schema Therapy

Schemas are broad themes or frameworks through which a person understands their relationships, self, or the world. Schema therapy aims to address maladaptive schemas, which can contribute to mental health conditions.Schema therapy draws from other areas of psychology, containing elements of attachment theory, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and more.Schema therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on schemas. Schemas are frameworks, or belief systems, through which people understand themselves and the world around them.
It is believed that people begin forming schemas in childhood, particularly around their family and from other common environments. These schemas then inform thoughts, emotions, and behavior.
However, central to this theoretical framework is the concept that Maladaptive schemas are unbalanced or unrealistic. For example, a child may learn they must always be perfect, or that they can never trust anyone. This may contribute to a variety of mental health conditions,

Internal Family Systems Theory

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an approach to psychotherapy that identifies and addresses the multiple sub-personalities or families within each of us. Yes, we all have many inner parts—some that protect us, some that old our pain, and others that support us to move through daily life. IFS views these parts as having positive intentions, even when their behaviors may feel disruptive or overwhelming.These parts of ourselves are often in conflict with each other and with one’s core Self, a concept that describes the confident, compassionate, whole person that is at the core of every individual. IFS focuses on healing the wounded parts and restoring mental balance and harmony by changing the dynamics that create discord among the other parts of ourselves, and the Self.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy. It is a therapy model that has been proven to be highly effective for those who have experienced trauma and other negative life experiences. The pathology is viewed in terms of maladaptive memory networks which have not been fully reprocessed and continue to be held in a state-specific form giving rise to maladaptive perceptions, behaviors, beliefs and attitudes.When a trauma occurs, it appears to get locked in the brain, in a “mis-stored” way. This mis-stored information often gets triggered by a variety of reminders and is responsible for the frequent feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, fear, etc. The locked in trauma can lead to past memories feeling very real in the present.EMDR therapy corrects this mis-storage so that the painful memories associated with the trauma lose their charge. Through the bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tones, or taps) the brain appears to allow the information to be unlocked and processed.Using the eye movements while awake permits the negative information to be discharged from the nervous system in a more helpful way.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a deep, insight-oriented approach that helps you understand how past experiences, especially those from early life affect your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and self-perception today.
Rather than just treating symptoms, this therapy gently guides you toward the roots of emotional pain to foster long-term healing, clarity, and self-awareness.

Why Choose Psychodynamic Therapy?

This Approach is ideal if you:

  • Feel stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns

  • Struggle with identity, self-worth, or confidence

  • Experience anxiety, depression, or emotional fatigue

  • Want deeper insight into your behaviors and reactions

  • Have unresolved trauma or grief, especially from racial or generational wounds

Rates

  • $140 Per Individual Session

  • $225 Per Couple & Family Session

  • Sliding Scale Available

We accept the following forms of Payment

Cash and all major Credit Cards

Accepted Insurance

  • Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • Aetna

  • United Health Care

  • Cigna

  • MVP

  • Molina

  • Fidelis

  • Medicaid

  • Medicare

Visit Options

We offer both in person and Telehealth (Virtual) Visits

In-Person Visit Location:

Syracuse Community Connections
401 South Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13204

Et nulla!

Adipiscing dis aliquam orci dolor

Libero volutpat sed cras ornare arcu dui vivamus arcu. Ligula ullamcorper magna libero nunc. Tincidunt vitae semper quis lectus nulla. Justo eget magna fermentum iaculis. Faucibus ornare suspendisse sed nisi lacus sed viverra.

Nunc faucibus magna sit amet porttitor eget

Amet tellus cras adipiscing enim. Nisi scelerisque ultrices vitae auctor augue. Scelerisque felis imperdiet magna fermentum leo. Sed turpis tincidunt aliquet risus feugiat. Arcu felis bibendum ut tristique et egestas quis ipsum. Integer vitae justo eget magna.

Morbi

"Suscipit mollis morbi duis suscipit facilisis elit nisl odio donec luctus."

Est integer pulvinar sit id nibh ultricies

Odio tempor orci dapibus ultrices in iaculis nunc sed. Pellentesque massa placerat duis ultricies interdum velit laoreet ultrices tincidunt arcu diam phasellus vestibulum lorem sed risus.

Thank you

Vivamus tortor quisque lacinia commodo euismod ac nunc dui. Risus dignissim congue massa fusce elit sociis praesent. Diam aliquam dolor amet imperdiet donec vulputate praesent nascetur porta dui.