Shayla provides art therapy and community mental health services to nonprofit and healthcare organizations, supporting individuals navigating addiction, trauma, chronic stress, and severe mental illness. She holds a master's degree in Counseling and Art Therapy from Eastern Virginia Medical School and is completing her doctorate in Counseling at Regent University. Her additional credentials include Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS).

Beyond her clinical work, Shayla serves by gubernatorial appointment on Virginia's Advisory Board on Art Therapy and on the board of directors of The Art Therapy Project, a nonprofit providing trauma-informed art therapy to underserved communities. She also volunteers with organizations such as The Alliance of Therapy Dogs and LoveYourBrain.