I am licensed in Louisiana with over 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

Welcome to BetterHelp! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor for the State of Louisiana with 18 years of social work experience. I moved to London, England in 2008 for approximately 5 years where I worked as an agency social worker in various London Borough agencies such as Leaving Care, Referral and Assessment, Foster Care and Juvenile Services. Upon returning home to Louisiana, I accepted a position with a behavioral health company where I’ve worked for approximately 11 years in various levels of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient hospitalization. During five years of my employment with Compass Health I was the Program Director of two large PHP/IOP outpatient programs. I also have 4 years experience working with Assertive Community Treatment that provides community based mental health services to high-risk populations. My counseling style is warm, empathetic and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, goal oriented and client centered treatment. CBT- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides individuals intervention that aim to improve mental health. CBT focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful negative thought patterns, behaviors, improving emotional stability and focus, and assist in the development of personal coping strategies that target current situational stressors. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you! Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

From the first moment of successfully leaving our mother's body and beginning to breath on our own, we began a life journey that mirrors our own epic story. This epic is similar to those I used to watch as a child at the Sunday evening movies. Usually a hero, for instance, Hercules, would be engaged in ongoing event-filled days of danger, challenge, and conquest. Along the way there were characters who attempted to thwart his efforts or support his quest. His focus remained resolute and steadfast and was usually met with success. If not doing that hour definitely by part two he would be the victor. Our life challenges, however, are not usually met with the excitement of a movie; and success in overcoming them is not usually with one or even two hours. But like old movies, our challenges involve obstacles, dangers, wonders, and successes of varying dimensions. These challenges for many of us serve to push us forward to take another breath of life and to continue our personal life walk. From each push, breath, and challenge we can choose to learn and experience success or satisfaction with how we are engaging with life. I am Joy Smith McElveen, a licensed clinical social worker in New Orleans, LA.. Like many of you, my epic story is filled with many challenges of major life disappointments, frustrations, illness, fears, anxiety, depression, and anger. However, there was always a sense of wonder which generated happy times, love, and a glimmer of hope-filled days. Focusing on the wonders of hope helps me put challenges and obstacles into a perspective that allows me build change efforts. I think it is having a sense of hope, the real wonder, that pushes us forward despite the challenge. My practice is based on expanding a search for hope within each person seeking to change direction. Living demands that we must continue to grow. We grow through learning and making changes in our sphere of life. Our emotions and thoughts help or hinder our behavior. It is within these areas we need to evaluate, and search for meaning to be productive and fulfilled. My practice is based on using Dialectical Behavior Therapy undergirded with applications from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. These approaches have interconnections with how we can choose to change how we think, feel and behave. They each require that the person seeking to make changes do the work and the helper is alongside working with her/him. I would like to be one of the characters in your epic story who supports your quest for change. I have a BA in sociology from Louisiana State University (now UNO); a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor); and a doctorate from Howard University School of Social Work. I have certifications in each treatment approach listed above.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor licensed in Louisiana, Missouri, and Georgia. I have worked in various areas including substance abuse, co-occurring, and general practice counseling centers for over 10 years now. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges, OCD and ADHD. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!

Hi. My name is Lori Gieseler. I am a MSW, LCSW and am licensed in the state of Louisiana. I graduated from LSU-Baton Rouge and have enjoyed a wide range of experiences with a concentration of working with adolescents, adults and couples. I believe in meeting individuals where they are and helping them learn to cherish themselves and their life experiences. Don't you think it's time to start walking up the road to self-care? I have experience in working with mood disorders, working with spouses of sex addicts and working with individuals who are adjusting to curves life may throw them. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which helps individuals develop a way of thinking to alter behavior and their reactions to events in life. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I approach counseling through a client-centered approach. I believe in using reflective questions to guide sessions and initiate change. I treat everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe we all deserve to live the best life possible and will tailor your treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Are you ready to take that first step? Are you ready to learn how to respond differently to obtain better outcomes in life? You deserve it!

Shandrieka is an experienced License Clinical Social Worker licensed in Texas and Louisiana, graduate of Southern University at New Orleans. She enjoys spending time partaking in self-care activities such as: mediating, listening to smooth jazz and engaging with loved ones. Shandrieka is passionate about helping people overcome life's difficult challenges, assisting individuals with developing new insights. She has had the privilege of providing individual counseling to young children, adolescents, adults and geriatric populations in an inpatient setting as well as community- based. Utilizing various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Behavioral Therapy. Shandrieka views behavioral health as the primary component of holistic health, resulting in healthy families, personal relationships and stronger communities.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Louisiana and have been for thirty years. Though I have practiced most frequently in a school environment, I have worked in other settings with a variety of populations, including teens and young adults. My areas of expertise include ADHD, anxiety and depression and personality disorders. My therapy style is low key and empathetic, with regard for the individual as a person of uniqueness with strengths and weaknesses that defy often negative labels. I use a variety of modalities in my approach, including cognitive behavioral, rational emotive, psychodynamic / transactional analysis and humanistic approaches. The approach(es) used and the eventual treatment plan will be tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Therapy is a journey, and like most journeys, it begins with a single step that may well be tempered by fear or doubt. The road to change take courage to begin with that first step into a future that offers a promise for tomorrow.

I am a family and marriage therapist with over 20 years of experience. I have experience in working with singles, married couples, teens and the elderly. I am here to help you, knowing that reaching out for help is not always easy. I am an open-ended listener who gives you the opportunity to express yourself in a nonjudgmental environment. I have helped many get through their trials and tribulations. My idea of therapy is not to erase what you've been through but, to offer an environment where you can express any and all experiences and voice how you can move forward. My goal is to help you grow in all aspects of life, it's not always easy being vulnerable which is why I offer my support and aid in all experiences that you have and will go through. I hope to meet you soon!

I am licensed in Louisiana with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I work with children ages 5 to 17 years of age, adults, couples, and all genders. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

With 20 years in law enforcement and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I specialize in helping first responders and military personnel manage trauma, anxiety, and addiction. My approach is compassionate, practical, and built on real-world experience you can trust.

I am licensed in the states of Missouri, Oregon, and Louisiana in professional counseling. I have experience in helping clients with anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, career difficulties, confidence-building, life changes, coping with stress, time management, grief, goal-setting, and more. I believe in treating everyone with respect and compassion. I have a warm client-centered approach. It takes courage to take the first steps toward change. I am here to support you in that journey. You can message me 24/7. I will respond at least twice a day.

As a licensed therapist in Louisiana, I specialize in supporting young adults through life's complex transitions and emotional challenges. My professional approach centers on helping individuals navigate depression, anxiety, stress, and family dynamics with compassion and expertise. I'm particularly passionate about working with young adults experiencing significant life changes, including pregnancy, postpartum experiences, and personal growth journeys. My therapeutic work emphasizes self-love, personal forgiveness, and building resilient coping strategies. My goal is to create a supportive, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their emotions, develop stronger self-understanding, and cultivate meaningful personal growth. I believe in empowering individuals to recognize their inherent strengths and navigate challenges with confidence and self-compassion. Through evidence-based practices, I support clients in developing practical tools to manage stress, improve self-esteem, and create positive life transformations. Every individual's journey is unique, and I'm committed to providing personalized, thoughtful guidance tailored to your specific needs and experiences.

I am licensed in Louisiana with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, relationship issues, trauma, & abuse. I also have experience working with depression. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

As a licensed therapist in Louisiana, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating life's complex challenges. My approach centers on helping clients develop self-compassion, improve communication skills, and discover deeper personal meaning. I have extensive experience working with young adults, caregivers, and professionals addressing stress, anxiety, and workplace dynamics. My therapeutic practice focuses on empowering clients to overcome social anxiety, manage life transitions, and build resilient coping strategies. I understand the nuanced struggles of personal growth, offering compassionate guidance through issues like self-esteem, guilt, shame, and personal transformation. Drawing from a trauma-informed and person-centered framework, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop healthier perspectives, and cultivate meaningful change. Whether you're facing workplace stress, relationship challenges, or seeking greater self-understanding, I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy and professional expertise.