Shemica Cole

Experienced LICSW blending CBT and practical skills

LICSW District of Columbia

Experience: 24 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Shemica

Shemica Cole is a licensed clinical social worker with 24 years of experience practicing in the District of Columbia. She blends cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered and attachment-informed perspectives to help people address stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, trauma, and related challenges.

Background and approach

Her style emphasizes warmth, respect, and practical skill building so clients can develop tools that fit everyday life. She works with a wide range of issues including addictions, grief, intimacy-related concerns, sleep difficulties, parenting and career stresses, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Additional focuses include attachment issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, codependency, domestic violence, and coping after loss or major life change. Shemica brings direct clinical experience supporting people through complex emotional and interpersonal problems while adapting methods to each person’s goals.

Sessions are informed by therapies that include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Client-Centered approaches. Shemica aims to create a collaborative environment that uses humor and hope alongside concrete strategies, supporting clients as they make changes and build confidence in daily life.

Online therapy approaches that combine skills and relationship work

A core part of Shemica’s practice is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to relieve symptoms like anxiety and depression and to support practical problem solving. Attachment-Based Therapy is another strand she uses to explore how early relational patterns influence current relationships and emotional responses, which can help with intimacy issues, attachment concerns, and family dynamics.

She approaches treatment collaboratively, emphasizing that finding the right method is a shared process. The therapist will work with each client to weigh goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adapting techniques from CBT, attachment work, or client-centered methods as needed to fit what the client finds most helpful.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options allow clients to engage in skill practice, process difficult experiences, and receive coaching from licensed professionals in formats that fit busy schedules and varied needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Shemica helps with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, parenting stress, career challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

What therapeutic approach does she use?

Her practice combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with attachment-informed and client-centered approaches, and may also draw on DBT and mindfulness techniques to teach coping skills and emotional regulation.

How much clinical experience does she bring?

She has 24 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and has worked with adults who have histories of trauma as well as those facing a range of emotional and interpersonal challenges.

Where is she licensed and what is her credential?

She is a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia with the credential DC LICSW LC50081005.

Does she offer services in languages other than English?

Sessions are conducted in English, and she also accepts international clients.

Which session formats are available?

Clients can meet with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and scheduling.

How are fees or cost handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityJealousyMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsParanoiaPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualityWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Licensed

District of Columbia

Languages

English