Hi! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and received my Masters from Aurora University. I have specialized training in EMDR and TF-CBT and have spent the last 19 years of my career as a social worker and therapist working with all age groups. I provide a safe, supportive space for children, adolescents, and adults to process their experiences and develop healthy coping strategies.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In your first session with me, you can expect to be welcomed into a safe and non-judgmental space where we will begin to build trust and rapport. I will take the time to listen to your concerns and goals, and together, we will explore what brings you to therapy. We will discuss your history, current challenges, and what you are hoping to achieve through our work together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I believe my greatest strengths as a provider lie in my ability to create a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental space for clients, allowing them to feel heard and understood from the very beginning. My extensive training in EMDR and TF-CBT allows me to provide evidence-based interventions that are specifically tailored to help individuals process trauma and develop healthy coping strategies. Additionally, my experience working with a wide range of clients—from survivors of abuse to individuals facing anxiety and life challenges—has helped me develop a deep sense of compassion and flexibility in my approach. I am committed to meeting each client where they are, empowering them to rediscover their inner strength and take active steps toward healing.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I specialize in working with individuals aged 12 and older, including survivors of domestic violence, childhood physical and/or sexual abuse, and those facing challenges in interpersonal relationships or feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, or life's difficulties. My approach provides a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment where clients can explore and process their struggles, develop effective coping strategies, and reconnect with their inner resilience.
About Tonya Shanks
Specializes in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), I help clients develop psychological flexibility by teaching them to accept difficult emotions, thoughts, and experiences rather than trying to avoid them. Together, we focus on identifying personal values and taking committed action toward living a meaningful life, even in the presence of challenges. The approach encourages mindfulness, self-compassion, and living in alignment with what truly matters to you.
Trauma-Focused CBT
In Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), I help you process and heal from traumatic experiences by combining cognitive-behavioral techniques with trauma-sensitive approaches. We work together to understand how trauma affects your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and develop skills to manage distressing memories. The goal is to reduce trauma-related symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and build a sense of safety, while empowering you to regain control over your life and well-being.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and unhelpful behaviors. Together, we work on replacing those thoughts with more realistic and balanced ones, and I guide you in developing coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or other challenges. The goal is to empower you with practical tools to improve your mental well-being and make lasting changes in how you think and act.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I help you develop skills to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and tolerate distress without resorting to harmful behaviors. We focus on building four key areas: mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. By balancing acceptance and change, DBT empowers you to create a more stable and fulfilling life while navigating difficult situations with greater resilience and self-awareness.
EMDR
In EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), I guide you to process and heal from traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation, like guided eye movements, while you recall distressing events. This helps reframe and reduce the emotional charge of those memories, allowing you to integrate them in a healthier way. The goal is to alleviate the impact of trauma and distress, enabling you to move forward with a greater sense of peace and emotional balance.