Hi! I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Tennessee. I received my Masters from the Howard University and have been practicing for 5 years. My focus is on helping clients manage stress, anxiety, and identity development while encouraging them to live authentically and in alignment with their core values. Through our work together, I aim to create a safe and empowering space for personal growth and resilience.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session with me, clients can expect a warm and open space where they feel heard and supported. I start by getting to know them, exploring what brought them to therapy, their current challenges, and what they hope to achieve. We’ll discuss their personal background, emotional and physical well-being, and any key stressors they’re dealing with. This session is about building rapport, setting the tone for a collaborative partnership, and ensuring they feel comfortable with the process. By the end, we’ll begin outlining goals and setting the foundation for their therapeutic journey.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider include my ability to connect with clients on a personal level, creating a safe and empathetic space for open dialogue. I bring a strong understanding of the unique challenges faced by clients, allowing me to tailor my approach to their specific needs. My integration of mind-body techniques helps clients cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness, which can be transformative in managing stress and anxiety. Additionally, I’m committed to fostering resilience and empowerment, guiding clients to explore their values and live authentically. My adaptability and innovative thinking enable me to implement diverse strategies that resonate with my clients, ensuring they feel supported and understood throughout their therapeutic journey.
About Sherlyna Hanna
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into my practice to help clients navigate the complex challenges they face. CBT is an evidence-based treatment method that focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors. I use it to support clients in understanding the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and actions, empowering them to challenge unhelpful perspectives and replace them with healthier ones. My empathy allows me understand the unique pressures and mental health struggles faced by my clients, such as navigating social media, societal expectations, and the fast-paced nature of life. I incorporate this understanding into my CBT approach by integrating technology and digital tools to make the therapy more engaging and relevant. I also emphasize the importance of self-compassion and mindfulness, aligning these techniques with the principles of CBT to create a well-rounded, tailored approach to each client’s individual needs.
Mind-body approach
I actively use a strength-based approach in my practice to empower clients by focusing on their inherent strengths and resources, rather than dwelling on their weaknesses or problems. This approach aligns well with client’s emphasis on authenticity, resilience, and innovation. I collaborate with clients to identify their personal strengths, talents, and positive qualities, which helps foster a sense of self-efficacy and hope. I actively integrate a mind-body approach in my practice, recognizing the strong connection between emotional and physical well-being. I prioritize techniques that help clients become more attuned to their physical sensations and emotions, as I believe this self-awareness is essential for healing. I use mindfulness exercises, breathwork, and grounding techniques to help clients manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. These methods encourage clients to notice how their bodies react to emotions and guide them to regulate their responses. Additionally, I incorporate movement-based therapies, like stretching or simple yoga poses, when appropriate, to help clients release tension. By addressing both mental and physical experiences, I empower clients to cultivate a deeper sense of balance and self-care in their daily lives, which is particularly meaningful for the challenges faced by clients, such as societal pressure, anxiety, and identity development.
Strength-Based
I encourage clients to view challenges as opportunities for growth, while emphasizing their capacity to navigate difficulties. By highlighting their previous successes and coping strategies, I help them build confidence in their ability to handle current and future challenges. This method fosters a collaborative and supportive therapeutic environment, where clients feel valued and motivated to take an active role in their own healing and development.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I actively incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into my practice because it aligns well with the needs and challenges faced by many clients. ACT focuses on helping clients accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, which resonates with many client's openness to mental health conversations and self-awareness. I guide my clients to explore their values, encouraging them to live authentically while accepting difficult emotions and experiences without judgment. In sessions, I emphasize mindfulness techniques, helping clients become more present and connected to the here and now. This approach is especially useful for managing the fast-paced, often overwhelming demands of modern life. I also encourage clients to identify their core values, using these values as a compass to guide their actions, even in the face of discomfort. By fostering psychological flexibility, ACT empowers my clients to take meaningful steps toward their goals while embracing the full range of human experience. This aligns with those who desire for authenticity, balance, and meaningful change in their lives.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I use SFBT in ways that align with traits like digital savviness, immediacy, and flexibility. I engage clients by focusing on their immediate concerns, highlighting what’s working for them, and helping them visualize their preferred future. In practice, this involves asking solution-focused questions like: "What would be different in your life if this problem was solved?" "Can you tell me about a time when you successfully handled a challenge like this?” I also leverage digital tools, such as apps for journaling or mindfulness, to support clients in tracking their progress and reflecting on their strengths between sessions. This approach aligns well with those who have a preference for brief, impactful interactions, helping clients feel more in control and confident in creating change.