Shanda Will
Hi! I’m Shanda Will, DHSc, LCPC. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor who specializes in anxiety, panic, social anxiety, stress, and those “my brain will not turn off” moments. My style is warm, down-to-earth, supportive, and yes, there will probably be some laughter along the way! I believe therapy can be meaningful and challenging without feeling stiff or overly clinical. I create a space where you can show up as yourself, feel genuinely heard, and get to the root of what’s happening deep down.
I use techniques and methods that are anti-oppressive, liberating, and inclusive.
Together, we’ll work toward helping you better understand your mind and body, regulate your nervous system, and feel more confident navigating life without anxiety constantly running the show.
First session
Your first session is about getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and beginning to identify what you need to feel better. We’ll explore: * What feels most important or difficult in your life right now * Your mental and physical health history * How stress, anxiety, or past experiences may be showing up in your mind and body * What you’ve already tried and what has or hasn’t been helpful * Patterns, triggers, or situations that leave you feeling overwhelmed or dysregulated * What you would like to change and your goals for therapy * How we can approach therapy in a way that feels comfortable and useful for you You’ll also have space to ask questions about me, my approach, and what you can expect from future sessions. There’s no pressure to share everything at once. We’ll begin where you are and build from there.
Strengths
I want therapy to be a space where you can exhale, be yourself, and know that you don’t have to explain or minimize who you are to feel understood. As a Black clinician, I bring cultural awareness, compassion, humor, and a nonjudgmental approach to creating a space where people from all backgrounds can feel safe, seen, and heard. Some of my strengths include: * Helping you put words to emotions that may be difficult to identify * Looking beyond the surface to understand what may be driving certain feelings, behaviors, or patterns * Creating a comfortable space for honest conversations, even when the topic is difficult * Collaborating with you on goals that feel meaningful and realistic * Meeting you where you are without judgment or expectations about where you “should” be My approach is inclusive, culturally responsive, and empowering. I’ll listen, ask questions, challenge you when it’s helpful, celebrate your growth, and probably make you laugh sometimes too. I believe healing happens best when you feel comfortable enough to show up as your full self and know that the person sitting across from you genuinely sees you.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who feels like their mind and body are constantly “on.” You may overthink, anticipate the worst, feel overwhelmed in social situations, or struggle to relax even when everything seems fine. You might understand why you feel anxious but still find that insight alone has not changed how your body responds. You are ready to get to the root of these patterns rather than simply manage symptoms. Together, we can explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, experiences, and nervous system using somatic and evidence-based approaches. The goal is to help you feel safer and more regulated in your body, reduce anxiety and panic, build healthier relationships, and feel more present and connected to your life.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In our sessions, I use a method called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you manage your symptoms. CBT teaches you how to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. We'll work together to find any negative thought patterns that might be causing you distress and work to change them. I'll teach you ways to help you challenge and reframe those thoughts, and we'll explore new, positive behaviors.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is used to help you manage your symptoms and live a more fulfilling life. ACT focuses on helping you accept the things you can't control and commit to actions that align with your values. I'll teach you mindfulness techniques to help you stay present and handle difficult emotions better. By embracing acceptance and taking positive steps guided by your values, you'll find that you are better equipped to deal with concerns.
Attachment-based
I use Attachment-Based Therapy to help you understand and improve your relationships, both with yourself and others. We will explore how your early attachment experiences might be affecting your current feelings and behaviors. We'll work together to identify patterns in your relationships and understand how they impact your emotional well-being. Because you may have attachment based concern, I will hold a safe and supportive environment, where you feel at ease to learn how to develop healthier, more secure connections. This process can lead to stronger relationships with others and a greater sense of emotional security.
Somatic
I use somatic therapy to help clients move beyond simply talking about their experiences and address how stress and trauma are held within the nervous system. Through body awareness, grounding, breathwork, orienting, movement, and nervous system regulation, I help clients identify underlying patterns and build greater safety, regulation, and connection between the mind and body.
Location
Virtual sessions