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SW Portrait of Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith

Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith

Practical, collaborative care for complex life challenges

LA Psychologist 1298 Louisiana

Experience
16 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Shawanda

About Shawanda

Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith welcomes people who are ready to address stress, relationship strain, anxiety, grief, addiction, or life transitions and want practical, collaborative help.

Background and approach

She centers treatment on each person's goals, offering clear strategies and supportive guidance to help clients move toward better emotional balance and improved day-to-day functioning. With 16 years of professional practice as LA Psychologist 1298, she draws on several evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), client-centered approaches, mindfulness-based work, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused strategies.

Her work emphasizes psychoeducation and partnership so clients understand how development, biology, and social or cultural factors can shape feelings and behavior. Dr.

Woods-Smith has experience addressing a broad range of concerns such as depression, bipolar symptoms, anxiety, trauma and abuse, intimacy and parenting challenges, caregiver stress, blended family dynamics, immigration-related issues, and end-of-life counseling. She aims to create an individualized treatment plan that fits each client's situation while offering practical tools to manage symptoms and build resilience.

Approaches and Accessibility in Online Therapy

Dr. Woods-Smith draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop concrete skills for reducing anxiety, improving mood, and changing behaviors. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, empathetic environment where clients' own goals and insights guide the pace and focus of sessions. Mindfulness Therapy is incorporated to teach present-moment awareness and stress-management techniques that can reduce reactivity and support emotion regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with clients to explore what feels most helpful given their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts methods over time to match progress and life changes.

Online sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice new skills between meetings, and access support from Louisiana without commuting to an office.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy problems, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, parenting and family dynamics, bipolar symptoms, and ADHD.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is supportive and collaborative, combining practical strategies with psychoeducation to help clients understand underlying causes and develop personalized coping skills.
What is her professional background?
She has 16 years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups across a range of concerns and treatment methods.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is licensed as LA Psychologist 1298 and practices in Louisiana.
Can she work with clients in other countries or languages?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions operate through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a brief matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

16+ years

Licensed

Louisiana

Languages

English