Licensed to practice in 3 states and accepts 12 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and 3 more.
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Shaleatha Brown, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and U.S. Army veteran. I work with adolescents and adults navigating anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, stress, relationship challenges, self-esteem concerns, emotional regulation, and life transitions. My approach to therapy is warm, down-to-earth, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. I understand that life can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of what to do next. Whether you are facing a difficult transition, struggling with your emotions, working through painful experiences, or simply wanting to better understand yourself, therapy can provide a space to slow down, reflect, and begin moving forward. My professional and life experiences have taught me the importance of resilience, perseverance, and meeting people where they are. I believe therapy should be a place where you can show up as yourself without feeling like you have to have everything figured out. I use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. Most importantly, I tailor therapy to you. My goal is to help you better understand yourself, recognize your strengths, develop practical tools, and make changes that support the life you want to create.
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a therapeutic relationship. I understand that meeting a therapist for the first time can feel uncomfortable, especially when you know you’ll be discussing personal experiences. You don’t need to come prepared with the perfect words or know exactly where to begin. We’ll figure that out together. During our first meeting, I’ll ask questions about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you would like to accomplish. We may also discuss relevant parts of your personal history, relationships, support system, coping strategies, and other areas of your life that can help me better understand you as a whole person. You will not be expected to tell me your entire life story during one session. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I want you to feel that you have control over your therapeutic experience and that therapy is something we are doing together rather than something being done to you. Our first session is also your opportunity to get to know me. You are welcome to ask questions about my approach, what therapy may look like, or anything else that will help you determine whether I am the right therapist for you. As we continue working together, we’ll identify specific goals based on what is most important to you. Therapy may include exploring patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, learning coping strategies, improving communication and boundaries, processing difficult emotions, and practicing skills that you can use outside of our sessions. My goal is for you to leave your first session feeling heard, respected, supported, and hopeful about the work we can do together.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to meet people where they are while still encouraging them to grow. I bring compassion, patience, authenticity, humor when appropriate, and real-life perspective into the therapeutic relationship. My experiences as both a social worker and U.S. Army veteran have shaped the way I connect with others. I have worked with people from many different backgrounds and life circumstances, and those experiences have reinforced my belief that there is no single approach that works for everyone. I take time to understand the person sitting in front of me rather than approaching therapy as one-size-fits-all. My style is a balance between support and accountability. There will be times when you simply need someone to listen, validate what you are experiencing, and provide a safe space for you to process difficult emotions. I am comfortable sitting with you in those moments without rushing you to find a solution. There will also be times when growth requires being challenged. I am not a therapist who will simply agree with everything you say or tell you what you want to hear. When appropriate, I will respectfully challenge thoughts, behaviors, and patterns that may be contributing to the difficulties you are experiencing. My intention is never to judge you, but to help you become more aware of patterns and recognize where you have the ability to make changes. I believe therapy can be meaningful without feeling overly formal or clinical. There may be difficult conversations, but there can also be laughter, encouragement, and moments when we recognize just how far you have come. I will celebrate your progress, help you recognize strengths you may have overlooked, and encourage you to practice the skills we discuss outside of therapy. I believe lasting change happens when insight becomes action. Ultimately, you can expect me to show up authentically, listen without judgment, hold you accountable when needed, and support you as you work toward becoming the healthiest version of yourself.
My ideal client is an adolescent or adult who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, trauma, stress, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, difficulty regulating emotions, or a significant life transition. They may feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, stuck in unhealthy patterns, or unsure of how to move forward. I enjoy working with clients who want a safe and nonjudgmental space to talk openly about what they are experiencing while also learning practical ways to manage life's challenges. You do not have to come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to change or how to change it. Sometimes, simply recognizing that something in your life is no longer working is enough of a starting point. My ideal client is willing to participate in the therapeutic process, increase self-awareness, explore thoughts and behaviors, and gradually practice new skills outside of sessions. Your goals may include managing anxiety or depression, processing grief or difficult life experiences, improving communication and relationships, establishing healthier boundaries, increasing confidence, developing coping skills, or simply feeling more emotionally balanced. I believe meaningful change takes time, and therapy does not have to be perfect to be effective. I value clients who are willing to show up as they are, be honest about their experiences, and work collaboratively with me. Whether you have specific goals or need help figuring out where to begin, we can work together to identify what matters most to you and develop a path forward that feels realistic and meaningful.
I use CBT to help clients recognize how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge negative beliefs, and develop healthier ways of responding to anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, and other life challenges.
I incorporate DBT skills to help clients better understand and manage difficult emotions, cope with distress, improve relationships, and communicate more effectively. In sessions, we may practice mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, boundary setting, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can be applied in everyday life.
I use Motivational Interviewing to create a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, values, and readiness for change. Rather than telling you what you should do, I help you identify your own reasons for change, work through uncertainty, and build confidence in taking meaningful steps toward your goals.