My name is Cara and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in the State of Missouri. I have been practicing in the field of social work for over seven years. I graduated from Missouri State University with a Masters Degree in Social Work. My experience includes working with foster and adoption youth, their biological parents, reunification of children back with their biological families and the stress and anxiety that the individuals involved experience. I also have experience in trauma, depression, coping skills, relationship issues, self-esteem, and adjustment struggles.
My approach combines trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, systems theory, solution focused therapy, and using a strengths-based approach when needed, to get you to a place where you feel relaxed and at ease. We will always start where you are, working together towards the goals you want to achieve.
This is a safe space for you and your feelings, where you don’t have to act a certain way. You are free to express your feelings in an unedited manner as you sort through them without judgment. Participating in therapy is not an easy process, but I promise I will be with you each step of the way!
I look forward to working with you.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Self-Harm, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
MO LCSW 2019006745
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Cara Shanks. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I am SO thankful fir Cara! I appreciate that she helps me get to the root of issues quickly, and it’s helped me immensely. She’s also very intuitive and gives me tools that have helped a lot. I HIGHLY recommend her!
Written on Jul 19, 2021 after therapy with Cara for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Great listener, easy to get in contact with, and very flexible. I felt heard and treated with respect. She is an amazing counselor and very down to earth.
Written on Mar 12, 2021 after therapy with Cara for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Cara is very helpful and a great listener. She understands me and hears me out. We’ve worked through some tough issues together and utilized the BetterHelp worksheets which can be very helpful. As we’ve progressed in our meetings we’ve become more comfortable in our conversations each week and it has become more and more refreshing to speak with her. Occasionally we get to take a break from the patient (me) being the primary speaker, and get to listen and hear about the therapist’s (Cara’s) life, which is very refreshing and something I didn’t get in previous therapy as much as I wanted. She is great and very understanding.
Written on Mar 06, 2021 after therapy with Cara for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Cara is wonderful. This being my first time trying therapy, she has made it very easy to be very open and honest about everything I need to talk about. I do not feel that she is judging me in any way, and has helped me in dealing with many things in a very easy, practical way. I actually look forward to our sessions because I feel so much better after we are done!!!
Written on Nov 15, 2020 after therapy with Cara for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
I’ve been working with Cara for about three months and she’s always very helpful. My mental well being and life has improved thanks to her efforts.
Written on Nov 09, 2020 after therapy with Cara for 2 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and self esteem
Cara is great! She listens to me and always gives me different options on how to deal with situations. When I have my sessions with her it feels like a weight lifted off my back after. I would highly recommend her
Written on Oct 06, 2020 after therapy with Cara for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes