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SM Portrait of Shomaya McFarland

Shomaya McFarland

Practical, compassionate counseling for life challenges

LPC Louisiana

Experience
13 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Intimacy-related issues
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Shomaya

Shomaya McFarland is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Louisiana with 13 years of experience in mental health settings.

Background and approach

She offers an informal, relaxed therapy style grounded in active listening and practical feedback, and she often suits people seeking support for stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, depression, grief, or challenges related to ADHD and self-esteem. Her work also addresses career questions, life transitions, compassion fatigue, and a range of interpersonal and attachment-related difficulties.

Shomaya draws from several established approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), client-centered methods, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor sessions to each person’s needs. She emphasizes creating a respectful, sensitive, and compassionate space where clients can express pinned-up emotions, process relationship problems such as infidelity or divorce, and explore forgiveness, communication, and commitment issues.

She notes that trauma-focused work and deep-rooted childhood processing may not be the best match at this time. Clients who want to address everyday stressors, improve coping skills, or consider new directions in life will find a collaborative partner in her.

To begin, prospective clients select the Start Therapy option and follow a brief matching questionnaire to schedule based on therapist availability.

Online approaches to building coping skills and relationships

Shomaya often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT sessions focus on concrete skills and small behavioral changes that can reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

She also incorporates Client-Centered Therapy, which prioritizes empathetic listening and a nonjudgmental atmosphere so clients can explore emotions and personal values at their own pace. This approach is useful for people who need a supportive space to process relationship issues, communication struggles, or self-esteem concerns.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. She works with clients to assess goals, preferences, and day-to-day needs, and together they choose techniques that feel most helpful and realistic for the client's life circumstances.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide scheduling flexibility and easier access from different locations within Louisiana. These remote formats can make it simpler to maintain regular appointments, practice skills between sessions, and stay engaged even when life is busy or unpredictable.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, anger, ADHD, grief, self-esteem, career concerns, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is informal and relaxed, emphasizing active listening, practical feedback, and a respectful, compassionate stance. She integrates client-centered work with CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing as appropriate.
What is her professional background and experience?
She has 13 years of experience in mental health roles including counselor, crisis therapist, counselor supervisor, and case manager.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She holds the LPC credential and practices in Louisiana under licence LA LPC 6715.
Which languages does she provide therapy in and can she see international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working together?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are costs handled for therapy with her?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start therapy with this counselor?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementADHD

Also works with

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMoney and financial issuesProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexualityWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

13+ years

Licensed

Louisiana

Languages

English