Grief and change aren’t just concepts I talk about as a therapist—they’re experiences that have shaped my life. Living through loss and major transitions gave me firsthand insight into the strength it takes to rebuild, and the importance of having support along the way.
My Journey, My Promise
My Story
I’m Shantel “Shanti” Robinson, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker serving adults in North Carolina and New Jersey. With more than 15 years in the mental health field, I’ve worked with individuals, families, and groups navigating grief, trauma, identity shifts, and life’s many transitions.
My work has included:
Supporting Veterans through grief and transition
Providing therapy in outpatient, group, and intensive programs
Creating safe, affirming spaces for Black communities and other marginalized groups
This experience allows me to meet clients where they are—with compassion, directness, and practical tools for healing.
Professional Experience
I founded Shanti’s Promise as both a reflection of my personal journey and a professional commitment: to provide a space of empathy, strength, and renewal.
Empathy: Your story is honored without judgment.
Strength: Together, we recognize the resilience within you.
Renewal: Healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach.
Core Values
Beyond my professional role, my own journey with grief continues to ground me. It reminds me that healing is not about “getting over it,” but about finding ways to carry what we’ve lost while still moving toward new beginnings.
My promise is to walk alongside you through that process—helping you find space for healing, resilience, and hope.
A Personal Note
Master of Social Work (MSW), Clinical Concentration — Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service (2016)
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Social and Behavioral Sciences; Minor in Criminal Justice — Seton Hall University, College of Arts and Sciences (2008)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker — North Carolina & New Jersey
Education & Credentials
Over the years, people have called me Shanti as a nickname — a name that means peace in Sanskrit. At 21, during a random night out in New York City’s West Village, I marked that meaning on my skin with that symbol, not realizing how much it would come to define my journey. At the time it was just an image, but as I faced grief and life’s changes, it grew into a reminder that peace is not about avoiding pain, but about finding renewal and strength while carrying it.
The butterfly is another symbol deeply tied to my story. It was my Mother’s favorite, and for me it has become a reflection of healing, transformation, and the possibility of growth even after loss.
Even the colors I carry into this work hold meaning. Red, my parents’ favorite, is a reminder of love and strength. Black, a color I’ve always loved, grounds me in resilience and truth. And Gold, my favorite, represents light, renewal, and the hope that always shines through.
Together, these symbols — my name, my tattoo, the butterfly, and these colors — are more than pieces of my past. They are the heart of Shanti’s Promise: a space built on empathy, strength, and renewal.
