- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship challenges
- CBT and mindfulness
About Shawanda
Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith is a licensed psychologist in Louisiana with 16 years of experience. She helps adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, career questions, grief, trauma, and related concerns including ADHD and addictions.
She approaches sessions in a practical, down-to-earth way. Conversations focus on what is happening now and what can be changed. She uses Client-Centered methods to listen and understand each person’s perspective. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to notice and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.
Dr. Woods-Smith combines solution-focused strategies with motivational interviewing to set clear, achievable goals and build momentum between sessions. Mindfulness techniques are offered to help with overwhelming feelings and to improve concentration and stress management.
She provides education about how emotional responses connect to life events, biology, and social or cultural pressures. That education is offered alongside concrete skills, such as communication tools and coping techniques for anger, grief, or relationship strain.
Clients can expect a collaborative tone in sessions. The emphasis is on short-term strategies that support longer-term change. Before committing to therapy, it’s reasonable to ask about session length, frequency, and how approaches will be combined to match individual goals.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so clients feel understood and can shape sessions around their priorities. Online sessions can preserve that conversational, person-led tone while the therapist helps clarify goals and concerns.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change patterns. In remote sessions CBT often includes shared worksheets, behavioral experiments to try between meetings, and focused skill practice for anxiety, depression, or ADHD-related challenges.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches attention and grounding skills to reduce reactivity and improve concentration. These practices can be guided in session and assigned as short daily exercises to build consistency in everyday life.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each client to choose approaches that fit their goals, preferences, and daily schedule rather than assuming one method from the start.
The original profile does not list which session formats are offered. Before booking, confirm which remote or in-person formats are available. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into study or work days, useful for shorter check-ins, or helpful when travel would otherwise be a barrier. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT exercises, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness practices to remote sessions so work continues between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
Louisiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems can she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, grief, career concerns, addictions, ADHD, and related challenges.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a collaborative, practical style drawing on Client-Centered therapy, CBT, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused methods.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of adult concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is listed as LA Psychologist 1298 and practices in Louisiana.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How does payment work and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and services. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.