Hello and welcome! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Shanique Walker, and I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California. With a Master's degree from Simmons College and about four years of experience, I've had the privilege of working in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient hospitals, correctional facilities, and through telehealth.
I specialize in supporting adults 18+ as they navigate stress, emotional challenges, and significant life changes. My goal is to help you restore and maintain long-lasting well-being. I'm passionate about creating a warm, empathetic, and welcoming space where you can feel safe and understood. Let's work together to build a brighter, more resilient future. I look forward to meeting you where you are and walking with you on your journey.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, we'll start with brief introductions. Then, I'll give you the opportunity to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable about your current challenges and experiences. Hearing your perspective will help me understand and make a plan for what we should focus on in future sessions.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strength as a provider is my ability to listen to your unique story without making assumptions, drawing from my experience in diverse settings. I strive to be relatable and make therapy engaging and enjoyable, ensuring it encompasses not just the negative experiences but also the positive aspects of life.
About Shanique Walker
Appointments
Free consults, virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is my favorite therapy modality because it relates functionality to feelings. In my practice, I use CBT to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We explore how a feeling can lead to a thought, which then results in a behavior that reinforces both the thought and the feeling. I guide clients through exercises and techniques to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, replacing them with more constructive ones. I often use thought records, behavioral experiments, and the assignment of small “homework” to help clients recognize and change unhelpful thinking. By connecting the dots between actions and feelings, I teach clients to realize their impact on daily life and empower them to make positive changes.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I like to help clients become more mindful of the intense feelings they are experiencing and teach coping skills that help when a “crisis” is happening. In my practice, I use skills from the four tenets of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), emphasizing distress tolerance and emotional regulation. I also focus on balancing the dialectic that two things can be true at one time. This approach includes practicing skills in real-time, assigning “homework” between sessions, and increasing awareness of emotional states. Through this method, clients learn to manage their emotions more effectively and navigate crises with greater resilience.
Psychoeducation
In my practice, I use psychoeducation as a core treatment method. I love using worksheets, videos, role-playing, and more to cater to various learning styles and reinforce the topics I am teaching. To further support my clients, I share articles, books, and websites for additional reading and information. I believe in equipping my clients with knowledge and resources to help them feel empowered to learn and function independently. I have created my own worksheets and utilize easily accessible online resources during sessions. My approach is interactive and engaging, avoiding lectures to ensure that learning is both fun and effective. By integrating these tools, I help clients better understand and apply the information, making the therapeutic process more impactful and meaningful.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in my practice to help clients identify and prioritize their underlying values, incorporating them into their daily lives. When clients feel stuck or overwhelmed, I guide them in exploring their values and envisioning a positive future. We work together to create distance from negative thoughts that hinder progress by using cognitive defusion techniques. Additionally, we focus on aspects within their control and make small, actionable commitments to achieve present-moment goals. Through this process, clients learn to align their actions with their values, enhancing their overall well-being.
