Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamiron Bales.
Hi Shamiron, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in San Diego, surrounded by a big, loud, and loving family. My dad came here from Indiana while he was in the Navy, and my mom immigrated from the Middle East as a teenager. Both of my parents were hardworking and had their own businesses, doing everything from painting murals to running a hair salon and buying real estate. They taught me the importance of being determined, creative, and helpful to others. Our home was always filled with family, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and education was a big focus in our lives. Looking back, I feel really lucky for the strong support my family gave me.
Psychology has always captivated my imagination. From an early age, I found myself thinking about the big questions: why do we think and act the way we do? And how is everyone so wonderfully different? As time passed, this curiosity blossomed into a genuine passion for unraveling the mysteries of development, learning, and relationships.
As any of my friends will tell you, I’m a true extrovert, endlessly fascinated by the magic of human connection. I still remember a study I read in college that completely blew my mind. It found that having just one close friend can not only decrease stress but can actually extend your life expectancy! Can you believe that? That concept resonated deeply with me and fueled my desire to pursue work that empowers people to understand themselves better and strengthen their relationships with their children, partners, schools, and, ultimately, with themselves.
During my time in graduate school, I was lucky to have mentors who greatly influenced my thinking and my work. One of the most important figures was my dissertation chair, Dr. Alan Lincoln. He played a huge role in teaching me how to think like a psychologist and academic and provided me with valuable skills to explore research about development in children. My dissertation focused on early social development, highlighting how crucial those first few years of life are. Things like friendships, feelings of belonging, and emotional safety during childhood can really shape a person’s future. I was able to go on and finish my research in partnership with Sharp Mary Birch Hospital and Dr. Anup Katheria, and I enjoyed every aspect of it. Believe it or not- even the data collection process! To make things fun, I brought my ukulele to entertain the kids while their moms finished the questionnaires!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No path is ever entirely smooth, and mine has had its share of challenges. Graduate school itself was demanding. Academically, emotionally, and financially. Like most students, I had to develop resilience, time management, and a capacity to hold space for others while still learning how to manage my own stress. I wasn’t always the top student in every subject, but I had mentors who believed in me and helped me grow into the psychologist I am today.
Launching a private practice also came with a learning curve. There was no blueprint handed to me, and while I came from a family of entrepreneurs, applying that mindset to a healthcare setting required a different kind of structure and vision. It meant developing systems, hiring and supervising, navigating insurance, and building trust in the community, all while maintaining clinical integrity.
Personally, coming from a culturally diverse background also shaped how I’ve approached the field. I saw early on how stigma around mental health can delay or prevent people from getting help. That awareness has stuck with me and motivates me to make my practice as accessible, inclusive, and clear as possible.
These experiences have pushed me to stay grounded, keep learning, and lead with purpose. Every challenge helped clarify why this work matters to me and how I want to show up in it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bales Psychology Clinic?
Eventually, I founded my own private practice, Bales Psychology Clinic. There was a major gap in our community in that people were waiting anywhere from 6 to 12 months or more for psychological evaluations that could help them get school accommodations, guide therapy, or understand themselves more deeply. I wanted to help meet that need, and I also found that evaluations were the perfect fit for me. They let me combine my love for storytelling, science, and writing. I enjoy taking complex data like interviews, test scores, and patterns and synthesizing it into a meaningful narrative that gives people clarity, direction, and hope.
Today, I feel incredibly lucky to do what I do. I get to meet people of all ages, from young kids who light up our office with their curiosity to teenagers who are wildly creative and expressive to adults with rich life histories. Each client has a unique story, and I never stop learning from them. I also enjoy training the next generation of psychologists through supervision in my practice and teaching at Alliant International University. Supporting graduate students, mentoring emerging clinicians, and helping shape this field gives me a deep sense of purpose.
It’s been a long and winding path to get here, but it feels like the work I was meant to do. And I’m still just getting started.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Clarity is powerful. Whether it’s in understanding yourself, your child, your work, or your relationships, having clarity can shift everything. I’ve seen it in my clients; how having the right language, insight, or diagnosis can change how someone sees themselves or how a family relates to one another. It opens the door for empathy, confidence, and informed decisions.
I’ve also learned that building something meaningful. Whether it’s a career, a business, or a life, it requires both patience and persistence. There’s no single moment where it all comes together. And there will always be lingering doubt. It’s about doing the next right thing, staying connected to your purpose, and being willing to grow as you go. I’ve learned that the best work often comes from integrating all parts of yourself, including your personal history, your strengths, your values. The more consistent I’ve become with why I do this work, the more fulfilling it has been.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balespsychologyclinic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balespsychologyclinic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573419907172
