Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has worked over the course of 23 years in both inpatient Crisis and outpatient counseling settings with individuals, couples and families, ages 4 y.o. to 85 y.o. in Florida, Utah, Maine, Arizona, and several other countries. I am very versatile in my approach, tending to begin where you, the client are first, then tailoring my interventions from that point on. My specialty is in working with PTSD, i.e. abuse , and primary and secondary traumas. Relatedly, I am a Certified TIST [Trauma-informed Stabilization & Treatment] therapist, and have advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, including the Flash Technique. I have also frequently worked with the Chronically Mentally Ill person, including those with Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Dissociative issues, and Depression, as well as those in various Life Transitional stages, Ex Pats, HSPs, and Developmental delays. I have also counseled a few individuals with up to middle stage Dementia (since newer Rx leaves them with tremendous adjustment issues) and their caregivers and parents struggling with parenting issues. My highest comfort level is with ages 18 and over in Individual sessions.
My counseling style is ecclectic, with a warmth of engagement and focus on acceptance, positive regard, and trust-building, but can be highly solution-focused and brief as needed in the course of your therapy. I use a Motivational Interviewing technique to identify both what it is the client truly desires, as well as what they do not want, or are not motivated to achieve, and why. I then will shift to a more Strengths-based and Skill-building approach and the use of Cognitive-Behavioral and Humanistic interventions with a Family Systems and Developmental perspective on relational issues.
I have done my own personal counseling work, and recognize it to be a powerful, yet courageous endeavor in a person’s life. Good therapy can transform you and it is a gift to be able to engage in it. Every person is precious, and deserving of respect, kindness, and a place to be fully heard, accepted, and a place to develop their best selves in a healing, compassionate environment. I consider my work as a therapist to be a sacred trust, a privilege, a calling, and part of my own journey as a fellow human being.
Working with you will be an honor to help you on your very unique path toward a healthier you, and in the style you determine to be the most helpful and supportive.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Shana Williams-Leary is a licensed clinical social worker with 24 years of experience working in both inpatient crisis and outpatient counseling settings. She has provided therapy to individuals, couples, and families ranging in age from 4 to 85 across Florida, Utah, Maine, Arizona, and several other countries.
She holds clinical social work licenses in Florida (LCSW, license SW7878) and Utah (LCSW, license 12996356-3501). Her clinical work is versatile and client-centered – she begins where each person or family is and then tailors interventions to meet their needs. Her specialty includes treatment for PTSD, including abuse and both primary and secondary traumas. She is a Certified TIST (Trauma-informed Stabilization & Treatment) therapist and has advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, including the Flash Technique.
Shana has significant experience working with people diagnosed with chronic serious mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dissociative issues, and depression. She has supported clients through life transitions, worked with expatriates, highly sensitive persons (HSPs), and individuals with developmental delays. She has also counseled a number of people in up to middle stage dementia and provided support to their caregivers and to parents facing parenting challenges. For individual therapy, her highest comfort level is working with adults aged 18 and over.
Her approach is eclectic and warm, grounded in acceptance, positive regard, and trust-building, while also able to be solution-focused and brief when appropriate. She uses Motivational Interviewing to clarify what clients truly want and what they are not motivated to change, then shifts to a strengths-based, skill-building model that incorporates cognitive-behavioral and humanistic techniques alongside family systems and developmental perspectives for relational concerns.
Shana values her own personal counseling experience and recognizes therapy as a powerful, courageous undertaking. She regards each person as deserving of respect, kindness, and a space to be fully heard and accepted. She views her work as a therapist as a sacred trust, a privilege, and part of her own human journey. Working with Shana Williams-Leary is described by her as an honor, and she aims to support each client on their unique path toward better health in whatever therapeutic style they find most helpful and supportive.
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