Shawnda Dewberry
Hi, I’m Shawnda, a licensed therapist and founder of Anchored Hope CC, LLC. I’m glad you’re here! I know reaching out for therapy isn’t always easy, especially when you’re used to handling everything on your own. But sometimes, having a safe space to talk, process your feelings, and focus on yourself can make a meaningful difference. I believe everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, you don’t have to figure everything out alone.
With over 13 years of clinical experience, I’ve had the privilege and honor of helping adults navigate difficult seasons, understand their emotions, and discover healthier ways to cope. My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. I enjoy creating an environment where you can be yourself, talk openly, and feel comfortable exploring what’s really going on beneath the surface. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life. I’m here to walk alongside you, ask meaningful questions, offer honest feedback, and help you develop practical tools you can use beyond our sessions. Together, we'll explore what’s keeping you stuck, identify your strengths, build coping strategies, and work toward the changes that matter most to you. Therapy isn't about having everything figured out or getting everything right. It's about making progress, learning about yourself, and giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace. My goal is simple: to help you feel better, think clearer, and live stronger. If you’re ready to make yourself a priority, I'd love to connect with you. Let’s take that first step together.
First session
Your first session is really about getting to know you, understanding what brings you to therapy, and helping you feel comfortable with the process. I know starting therapy can feel a little intimidating, especially if you've never talked with a therapist before. But don't worry, you don't have to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. We'll start by talking about what's been going on in your life, what challenges you're facing, and what you'd like to see change. I'll ask questions about your background, emotional well-being, and any concerns that may be affecting your everyday life. We'll also explore your strengths, what's been working for you, and what you hope to gain from our time together. This is also your opportunity to ask questions, share any concerns about therapy, and get a feel for how we'll work together. I'll explain my approach, and we'll begin identifying goals and practical steps that make sense for you. You won't be expected to share everything in one session, and there’s no pressure to have all the answers. We'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling heard, supported, and a little clearer about your next steps. We may not solve everything in one conversation, but we'll begin building a plan to help you feel better, think clearer, and move forward with confidence.
Strengths
One of the things I enjoy most about being a therapist is helping people make sense of what they're going through and figure out what to do next. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself in our sessions, whether you're having a good week, feeling overwhelmed, or just need a space to talk things through without being judged. My style is warm, conversational, and straightforward. I'm not the type of therapist who just sits back, listens, and occasionally nods. I'm actively involved in our conversations. I'll ask questions to help you think a little deeper, offer different perspectives, and sometimes gently challenge you when I notice thoughts or patterns that may be getting in your way. We'll also celebrate your progress, even the small wins, because those matter too! With over 13 years of experience, I've learned that people don't always need more advice. Sometimes they need help understanding why they feel the way they do, recognizing what's within their control, and learning how to handle situations differently. I use practical approaches like CBT, DBT-informed skills, mindfulness, and solution-focused strategies, but I don't believe therapy should feel like a textbook. We'll take what we're discussing and connect it to your everyday life. That might mean learning how to manage overthinking, respond differently when you're frustrated, communicate your needs, set boundaries without feeling guilty, or build confidence in making decisions. I also like to give clients something to work on between sessions, whether it's a simple reflection question, a coping skill, or a small action step. Nothing overwhelming, just something that helps you put what we're learning into practice. What you can expect from me is genuine support, honest conversations, practical tools, and encouragement along the way.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who's ready to feel better but may not know exactly where to start. Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed, constantly overthinking, struggling with anxiety or depression, or finding it difficult to manage your emotions. You might be the person everyone depends on, yet you're exhausted from trying to keep everything together. I enjoy working with adults who want to better understand themselves, build confidence, set healthier boundaries, improve relationships, and learn practical ways to handle life's challenges. You may be navigating a difficult life transition, struggling with self-doubt, carrying emotional pain from past experiences, or simply feeling stuck and wanting something to change. I also welcome clients who desire to incorporate their Christian faith into their therapy experience. If your faith is an important part of your life, we can explore how biblical principles, Scripture, and prayer can support your emotional healing alongside practical, evidence-based therapy approaches. You don't have to have a perfect faith journey or all the answers. We'll meet you where you are, honoring your beliefs, values, and personal experiences. Faith-based therapy is always optional. I especially enjoy working with clients who are open to exploring their thoughts and emotions, learning new coping skills, and taking small, meaningful steps toward personal growth. And if you're not quite sure what you need or where to begin, that's okay too. We can figure that out together. You don't have to come to therapy with everything figured out. Just come as you are. My goal is to provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you can feel heard, gain clarity, strengthen your confidence, and begin making changes that matter to you. At Anchored Hope CC, it's about helping you feel better, think clearer, and live stronger, one step at a time.
Treatment methods
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT-informed skills to help you better understand and manage your emotions, handle stressful situations, and improve your relationships. Together, we'll practice tools like mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy communication. My goal is to help you feel more in control of your responses, set healthier boundaries, and navigate everyday challenges with greater confidence.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you understand how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we'll identify negative thinking patterns, challenge thoughts that may be keeping you stuck, and develop healthier ways to respond to life's challenges. My approach is practical and collaborative, giving you tools you can use in everyday situations to manage anxiety, improve your mood, and build confidence.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help you explore what matters most to you, especially when you're feeling stuck, uncertain, or struggling to make changes. Through open conversations and thoughtful questions, we'll explore your goals, identify what's holding you back, and build on your strengths. My goal is to help you find your own motivation, gain confidence in your decisions, and take meaningful steps toward change at a pace that works for you.
Faith-based therapy
I offer faith-based therapy for clients who want to include their Christian beliefs in their healing journey. I combine practical, evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT-informed skills with Scripture, prayer, and biblical principles when desired. Together, we’ll explore life's challenges, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen your emotional well-being while honoring your faith. Faith-based therapy is always optional and guided by your comfort and personal beliefs.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore how past experiences may be affecting your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and everyday life. We'll work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, identify triggers, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen your sense of safety and control. My goal is to help you feel empowered, understood, and supported as you move toward healing.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- MichiganLicense 6801095566