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I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has worked over the course of 18 years in both inpatient Crisis and outpatient counseling settings with individuals, couples and families, ages 4 y.o. to 85 y.o. in Florida. I am very versatile in my approach, tending to begin where you, the client are first, then tailoring my interventions from that point on. My specialty is in working with PTSD, i.e. abuse , and primary and secondary traumas, and have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. However, I have also frequently worked with the Chronically Mentally Ill person, including those with Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Dissociative issues, and Depression, as well as those in various Life Transitional stages and Developmental delays. I have also counseled a few individuals with up to middle stage Dementia (since newer Rx leaves them with tremendous adjustment issues) and their caregivers and parents struggling with parenting issues. My highest comfort level is with ages 18 and over.
My counseling style is ecclectic, with a warmth of engagement and focus on acceptance, positive regard, and trust-building, but can be highly solution-focused and brief as needed in the course of your therapy. I use a Motivational Interviewing technique to identify both what it is the client truly desires, as well as what they do not want, or are not motivated to achieve, and why. I then will shift to a more Strengths-based and Skill-building approach and the use of Cognitive-Behavioral and Humanistic interventions with a Family Systems and Developmental perspective on relational issues.
I have done my own personal counseling work, and recognize it to be a powerful, yet courageous endeavor in a person's life. Good therapy can transform you and it is a gift to be able to engage in it. Every person is precious, and deserving of respect, kindness, and a place to be fully heard, accepted, and a place to develop their best selves in a healing, compassionate environment. I consider my work as a therapist to be a sacred trust, a privilege, a calling, and part of my own journey as a fellow human being.
Working with you will be an honor to help you on your very unique path toward a healthier you, and in the style you determine to be the most helpful and supportive.
Professional experience
19yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefDepression
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant Personality, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Chronic Pain Illness and Disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Dissociation, Divorce and Separation, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and Shame, Hearing Impaired, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Immigration Issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Paranoia, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic Stress, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-Harm, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Somatization, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's Issues, Young Adult Issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shana Williams-Leary. 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.
Shana is amazing. She checks in on you during the week sends amazing info and tips to help. She is really caring and I feel really empowered.
Written on Aug 25, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, family conflicts, grief, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue
Shana always remembers what my concerns are, even when there has been a long span of time between sessions. She asks questions that help me consider other ways to approach an issue.
Written on Aug 07, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 11 months on issues concerning family conflicts, coping with life changes, and adhd
Good therapist
Written on May 20, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 7 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and anger management
Shana has been a great support for me. She's very professional, easy to work with, a great listener and offers many resources for me to make informed decisions. I have faith in therapy after years of struggling to find someone and a hope for recovery.
Written on Apr 19, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 5 months on issues concerning trauma and abuse, grief, anger management, and adhd
very nice and understanding, helpful and providing things that can help.
Written on Apr 03, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Shana William-Leary has been a wonderful, kind and professional therapist. Her thoughtful approach has helped me better understand my emotions and how to better handle complex situation.
Written on Mar 12, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Thankful for this app that brought me the perfect therapist to help me through my very difficult spiritual trials. The interaction inbetween appointments far surpasses the many weekly appointments I have had through the years where you get your 45 minutes thats it. No in between interactions. My journaling helps my therapist see and knit my complex hurt together. This to me is an excellent way a new approach to therapy with betterhelp. I have had decades of therapy which have been great but the inbetween communication helps paint the whole story
Written on Mar 09, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief
The BEST therapist I have ever been to! She does so much research and puts so much time into you. I cannot thank her enough.
Written on Mar 05, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Shana is awesome. She really listens and truly does care about you as a patient and your mental health. She wants the best for you. Five Stars!!!
Written on Jan 24, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd
Shana has helped me immensely with my PTSD symptoms which I’ve dealt with for many years. I’m finally starting to feel control over my emotions and happiness in my life again.
Written on Jan 19, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
I just started seeing Shana! Our first conversation was great, I felt validated and understood, and I feel like I got advice and strategies to move forward. Great experience so far!
Written on Jan 06, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and parenting issues
Shana has been super helpful and considerate so far and I really appreciate her
Written on Jan 04, 2023 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and bipolar disorder
Shana has been amazing! I was comfortable spilling my guts to her right away and she is always around to help me or message me back. Literally a life saver! I really like that I can vent to her or ask for her help and she knows the difference and when to give solid advice and when to just listen. :)
Written on Dec 28, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and anger management
Shana is compassionate and clearly helps me address my concerns. She helps me learn to help myself!
Written on Oct 28, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and coping with life changes
I've only had 1 video session, but so far so good. Shana has responded very promptly to my messages and is providing the support I need right now. Glad we were matched and I look forward to future progress.
Written on Oct 12, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion f
Shauna has been an absolute joy to speak to. She is extremely compassionate, very attentive, and has shown me to look at my situations on a completely different perspective. Most of all, I feel she comes across as extremely approachable, warm and always keeps in touch with follow up messages and conversations through chat after our sessions. I would greatly recommend her to others, particularly for those who have are struggle for issues that are difficult to comprehend or self analyse.
Written on Sep 21, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I feel very comfortable and I trust her. She has helped me be able to think differently with situations that have scared me and because of that, I felt validated and I was able to get sleep which was important to me. I’m really grateful for her expertise.
Written on Sep 11, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Shana is easy to talk to, listens wonderfully, and offers a fascinating insight and new perspectives on issues I may have.
Written on Aug 09, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Shana is very responsive and compassionate. In our very brief interaction it felt like we achieved so much and I was able to share with her a lot of my inner burdens. Her proactiveness was very much appreciated and I would love to get back with her if/when I re-start individual therapy.
Written on Aug 08, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Shana was very friendly and approachable. She has been very helpful in the few sessions I’ve had so far. She’s very knowledgeable and great at responding when needed. Also she took the initiative to check up on me frequently between sessions.
Written on Jul 17, 2022 after therapy with Shana for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, parenting issues, and compassion fatigue
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