- Family of origin issues
- CBT and client-centered
- Stress and anxiety
About Shawanda
Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith is a Louisiana psychologist with 16 years of experience. She works with adults facing common life pressures such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, and career concerns. She also addresses family-related struggles, addiction, grief, intimacy issues, and questions tied to family of origin.
She offers straightforward, conversational therapy. Sessions typically focus on clear goals and practical steps people can use between meetings. She uses methods that help people notice unhelpful thoughts, try different behaviors, and build skills for handling difficult moments.
Her approach blends Client-Centered ideas with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused techniques. That means sessions often start by identifying a few specific problems to work on and then trying small, manageable changes. Mindfulness and motivational strategies are added when they fit the work a person wants to do.
Dr. Woods-Smith also provides psychoeducation about how development, biology, and social or cultural forces connect to current struggles. She explains concepts plainly and helps people practice new ways of communicating and coping. Practical topics she addresses include blended family issues, caregiving stress, commitment and communication problems, and fatherhood concerns.
People who come in for family of origin issues can expect to look at the ways childhood roles and expectations still shape choices now. The focus is on identifying patterns, testing alternatives, and building clearer boundaries and communication that work in everyday life.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the client's perspective and priorities. It involves listening closely, reflecting concerns back, and building on the person's own strengths to address relationship and family patterns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify patterns of thinking and behavior that maintain stress or anxiety and then practice alternatives to reduce symptoms and improve day-to-day functioning. Solution-Focused techniques concentrate on setting specific, measurable goals and trying small changes that can be evaluated and adjusted over time.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively with the client to test methods and shift strategies based on the client's goals and what works in practice. That means sessions can combine elements from different approaches until a good fit is found.
Session format details are not specified here, so confirm the current options before booking. Many people find online sessions help fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Online work can make it easier to keep regular appointments and to practice skills between sessions in everyday settings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
Which concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, addictions, grief, parenting and many family-related concerns including family of origin issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a collaborative, goal-focused style that emphasizes clear steps and practical skills between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience practicing as a psychologist in Louisiana.
What are her credentials and location?
She is listed as LA Psychologist 1298 and practices in Louisiana.
Can I work with her if I live outside the US?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
Which session formats are offered?
Current session formats are not specified here; please confirm the available formats before booking.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.