Shana Williams-Leary

Compassionate, practical therapy for adults

LCSW Florida

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

About Shana

Shana Williams-Leary is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 24 years of practice who welcomes adults seeking support for stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship concerns, mood disorders, and other life transitions.

Background and approach

She meets clients where they are and adapts interventions to individual needs, emphasizing warmth, acceptance, and practical skill building. Her work often addresses PTSD and abuse-related trauma, as well as chronic mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression.

Shana blends evidence-based tools with a person-centered stance, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, attachment-informed work, and family systems perspectives. She describes her style as both compassionate and solution-focused, shifting between longer-term exploration and brief, skills-oriented care as appropriate.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, she practices in Florida and has experience across multiple states and international settings, bringing a broad understanding of cultural and developmental differences to therapy.

Therapeutic Methods and Online Support

Shana frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; this approach is often practical for addressing anxiety, depression, and coping skills. She also works with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) techniques for processing trauma and abuse, which can support reduction of trauma-related distress. Attachment-Based Therapy informs her relational work by exploring patterns of connection and trust that affect current relationships and family dynamics.

Choosing the right method is part of the collaborative process. The therapist and client work together to consider goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, and they may try different strategies or combine approaches to find the best fit for each person's needs.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to continue care across locations. These formats support ongoing skill practice, shorter check-ins, or full counseling sessions, allowing clients to engage in treatment in ways that suit their routines and comfort levels.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

Areas of focus include stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, parenting concerns, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related life transitions.

What is the therapist's general approach and style?

The approach combines client-centered warmth and acceptance with practical, solution-focused techniques, using cognitive behavioral strategies, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based skill building as indicated.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

The clinician brings 24 years of experience working in inpatient crisis and outpatient counseling across multiple states and international settings.

What are the clinician's credentials and location?

She is an LCSW practicing in Florida with license details FL LCSW SW7878 and UT LCSW 12996356-3501.

In which languages can sessions be conducted and are international clients accepted?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish, and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients can connect via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

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

What steps are required to begin therapy?

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

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Grief Depression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes Compassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Licensed

Florida, Maine, Utah, Arizona

Languages

English, Spanish