Shana Williams-Leary

About me

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has worked over the course of 19 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 a very spiritual person with a strong belief and core values based in my relationship with Jesus Christ, the son of God, and his Holy Spirit, as well as the help of our Creator's heavenly angels. I rely and believe in the divine power of prayer and in forgiveness of sins, and love all persons pursuing God in their own healthy manner. However, I do not affiliate with a particular religion, but find wisdom in God's creation itself, and in many faith teachings over the centuries. first and foremost, I recognize your sessions are about your faith and not about mine. I am very versatile in my approach, tending to begin where you, the client is 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, Ex Pats, those in Deconstruction, HSPs, 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 Individuals, 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 intermingle 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.

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Specialties

• Stress, Anxiety
• Family conflicts
• Trauma, Abuse
• Grief
• Depression

Also experienced in:
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 Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

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Services offered

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  Messaging
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  Live Chat
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  Phone
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  Video

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Licensing

FL LCSW SW7878

UT LCSW 12996356-3501

ME LCSW LC21573

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Reviews

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 Faithful Counseling might be different.

Work with me!