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Shanda Will, LCPC - Illinois Therapist at Grow Therapy

Shanda Will

Shanda Will

(she/her)

LCPC
12 years of experience
Virtual

Hello !I’m Shanda Will, DHSc, LCPC I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in Anxiety concerns. I am an empathetic, encouraging, and patient-therapist that can help you rise above what you are going through. My expertise lies in providing dedicated support for individuals who are navigating challenges such as anxiety, panic, phobias, social anxiety, overwhelming fear about the state of the world, and obsessive compulsions.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In your first session, we will discuss what therapy will look like, your mental/ physical health history, your concerns, and other information you want to provide. I’ll invite you to share more about yourself and we can also talk about what’s worked or not worked for your mental health in the past. Some questions that I like to ask during a first session include: -What’s present for you in your life right now? -What goals would you like to reach by going to therapy? -What do I need to know about you to understand your current challenges? You can ask me questions as well. You might be curious about about my experience or how future sessions work.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I accept people with a lot of compassion, just as they are, without judgement. I use techniques and methods that are anti-oppressive, liberating, and inclusive. I offer a secure, collaborative, empowering, and positive space for healing. I have a natural ability to: -Help people identify what they are feeling. -Uncover what's under the surface. -Collaborate with people to set goals and help them reach them. -Accept people for who they are and in their current life circumstances. People who know me often say that I am a good listener who can help people feel heard and understood which helps people feel seen and start to heal.

About Shanda Will

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

As your therapist, I use a technique called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to help you with your OCD, social anxiety, fears, phobias, and panic attacks. First, we will start by gathering information about your symptoms and history. Next, we will talk about what may trigger your anxiety and then create a list, ranking them from least to most stressful. Together, we'll face these challenges gradually, starting with the easier ones and working our way up. This process helps you retrain your brain to handle these situations with less anxiety, and over time, you will have relief of symptoms and the ability to manage them.

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)

I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) 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.