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Shana Williams-Leary, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Shana is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Shana. View 30 reviews
Great news, Shana is accepting new clients!
She is normally fully-booked.
Speaks English and Spanish
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Florida, Maine, and 2 more

Recent reviews

My therapist is very polite and I feel comfortable talking with her!

Reviewed November 2024

She is great highly recommend

Reviewed November 2024

More about Shana

  • 24 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has worked over the course of 23 years in both inpatient Crisis and outpatient counseling settings with individuals, couples and families, ages 4 y.o. to 85 y.o. in Florida, Utah, Maine, Arizona, and several other countries. 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, including the Flash Technique. 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, 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 ages 18 and over in Individual sessions.

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.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Grief Depression 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 Blended family issues 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 Veteran and Armed Forces Issues Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Narcissism 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

Treatment 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

Licenses

Shana Williams-Leary's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1295877751.

  • LCSW · Florida · SW7878 · Expires March 2025
  • LCSW · Maine · LC21573 · Expires August 2026
  • LCSW · Utah · 12996356-3501 · Expires September 2026
  • LCSW · Arizona · LCSW-22157 · Expires February 2026

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Shana Williams-Leary

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

30 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Great Helped Helpful Amazing Caring Comfortable Knowledgeable Listens Professional Recommend

My therapist is very polite and I feel comfortable talking with her!

Reviewed November 2024

She is great highly recommend

Reviewed November 2024

I really like how compassionate and understanding she is she’s very kind and listens to me and gives me advise i would absolutely recommend her

Reviewed July 2024

Shana is 100% dedicated to helping

Reviewed February 2024

Great therapist

Reviewed January 2024

Shana is wonderful! She is knowledgeable, caring, compassionate, responsive, timely, professional, warm, and supportive!

Reviewed November 2023

Ms. Williams is excellent!

Reviewed May 2023

Shana has helped me more than I can even put into words. I’ve had such a positive experience working with her. She’s respectful of my concerns and considerately addresses issues that I wasn’t even aware of. I’m thankful for her and BetterHelp for helping me become the person I want to be.

Reviewed January 2024

Shana is knowledgeable and caring. She’s great at providing me with the tools to help myself while also providing alternative perspectives to how I view situations and circumstances.

Reviewed November 2023

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.

Reviewed August 2023

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.

Reviewed August 2023

Good therapist

Reviewed May 2023

very nice and understanding, helpful and providing things that can help.

Reviewed April 2023

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.

Reviewed March 2023

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

Reviewed March 2023

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.

Reviewed March 2023

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.

Reviewed April 2023

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!!!

Reviewed January 2023

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.

Reviewed January 2023

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!

Reviewed January 2023

Shana has been super helpful and considerate so far and I really appreciate her

Reviewed January 2023

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. :)

Reviewed December 2022

Shana is so helpful and gives me just the right amount of support.

Reviewed November 2022

Shana is compassionate and clearly helps me address my concerns. She helps me learn to help myself!

Reviewed November 2022

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.

Reviewed November 2022

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.

Reviewed September 2022

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.

Reviewed September 2022

Shana is easy to talk to, listens wonderfully, and offers a fascinating insight and new perspectives on issues I may have.

Reviewed August 2022

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.

Reviewed August 2022

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.

Reviewed July 2022

How was your experience with Shana?

Frequently asked questions

Does Shana Williams-Leary offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Shana Williams-Leary works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Shana Williams-Leary speak?

Shana Williams-Leary speaks English and Spanish.

How many years of experience does Shana Williams-Leary have?

Shana Williams-Leary has 24 years of experience.

Where is Shana Williams-Leary licensed to practice?

Shana Williams-Leary is licensed to practice in Florida, Maine, Utah, and Arizona.

Does Shana Williams-Leary accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Shana Williams-Leary accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Shana Williams-Leary offer?

Shana Williams-Leary offers clients 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, and Trauma-Focused Therapy.

How can I communicate with Shana Williams-Leary?

Shana Williams-Leary can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Shana Williams-Leary?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.