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- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness
About Shawn
LCSW in Louisiana with 30 years of clinical experience, Shawn Smith focuses on family dynamics, trauma and abuse, and related concerns. She works with people facing anxiety, depression, grief, anger, relationship problems, and the stresses of life change. Sessions are informed by Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.
Shawn helps clients clarify what matters to them and learn practical skills for daily life. She emphasizes clearer communication, building self-esteem, and managing intense emotions. Her work includes attention to issues such as abandonment, codependency, domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, and parenting stress.
Her approach is direct and skill-oriented. Clients can expect conversational sessions that identify patterns, try small behavioral experiments, and practice emotion regulation skills. She also integrates mindfulness exercises and motivational interviewing techniques to help people find reasons to change and stay engaged in therapy.
Shawn has long experience with people connected to the military community and with women navigating trauma and recovery. She pays attention to cultural background and how life roles affect coping and decision making. That practical focus helps people translate therapy into daily routines.
To begin, she asks people to describe their immediate concerns and goals. Early sessions tend to assess strengths and set short-term targets. From there, sessions move toward skill building, communication practice, and steps to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.
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How Shawn applies therapeutic approaches in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting. The therapist follows the client's lead, clarifies goals, and supports the person's own problem-solving. This approach helps people who need a steady, validating presence while they sort through difficult issues.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Online CBT sessions often include practical exercises, homework, and short experiments to test new ways of thinking. This is useful for anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and patterns that keep repeating.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides concrete skills for regulating emotions and handling conflict. In sessions, clients learn emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be practiced between meetings.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shawn will help identify which methods fit a person's goals, needs, and preferences and adjust the plan over time. The early sessions typically focus on assessment and deciding which skills to prioritize.
Confirm current session options before booking. The online format can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when needed. Discuss logistical preferences when scheduling so sessions can be arranged to match daily routines and practical constraints.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What issues does she address?
She focuses on family dynamics, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, coping with life changes, stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, grief, anger, and depression.
What therapeutic style does she use?
She uses Client-Centered Therapy along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to teach practical skills and support change.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience practicing as a licensed clinical social worker.
What credential and location apply to her practice?
She holds an LCSW credential and practices in Louisiana.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She accepts international clients.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.