About me

Hello, thanks for taking the first step towards achieving an improved emotional balance. I am Dr. Shawanda M. Woods-Smith, a licensed Psychologist in the state of Louisiana with over 10 years of experience working with a wide range of people and concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career challenges, self-improvement, academic struggles, and grief/loss. I am proficient in providing therapy for adolescents and family members.

I find that the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Person Centered Therapy approaches provide a foundation for facilitating change. The Teen years can be both challenging and exciting. I have passion for providing psychoeducation to teens and their family members about the issues they may be having and how these issues are related to development, biological or social/cultural causes. My counseling style is supportive and collaborative resulting in the development of a uniquely specific treatment plan to meet your needs.

It takes strength and courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life. It appears that you a ready to take that step and I look forward to the opportunity to support and empower you.

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Relationships
  • Trauma, Abuse
  • Career difficulties
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
Addictions , LGBT , Family conflicts , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Bipolar disorder , Coping with life changes , ADHD , Blended family issues , Caregiver issues and stress , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Years of Experience: 16

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

LA Psychologist 1298

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Shawanda Woods-Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Jan 19, 2025 after therapy with Shawanda for 4 months

My daughter has had a great experience with her. She challenges her but also has great rapport with her

Written on Sep 25, 2024 after therapy with Shawanda for 3 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

One of the most caring and compassionate people you will ever meet. I am very grateful to have met her.

Written on Feb 05, 2024 after therapy with Shawanda for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

Dr Woods-Smith is very attentive to my needs and really cares about me.

Written on Jun 30, 2023 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 months on issues concerning relationship

I always thought I could do everything myself and it took a lot to let someone in to help me through my problems and I'm so glad that person was Dr.Woods-Smith. She is a wonderful therapist and has helped me so much. She's very respectful and understanding of my situations and was able to help me despite those issues. I'd recommend her to anyone.

Written on May 11, 2023 after therapy with Shawanda for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

Dr. Woods-Smith was an amazing therapist to work with. She was a great listener and easy to open up to. I always looked forward to our sessions. I went through a hard year last year, and was able to work through it with her help and with the tools she taught me how to use. I am getting to know myself more through a much kinder lense all thanks to Dr Shawanda. I will always be grateful for her and know I can always come back if need be.

Written on Apr 05, 2023 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes

She listens and she is very knowledgeable and helpful.

Written on Nov 22, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd

In just a few sessions I feel Dr. Woods-Smith has helped me a great deal. She listens to all of my concerns and gives me ways to address them. She is very responsive when I message her. I definitely feel more at ease since I began my sessions with her.

Written on Sep 16, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship

She is kind, patient, hopeful and understanding

Written on Sep 16, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and adhd

Dr. Woods-Smith gave me the confidence that I needed to trust myself in all of life’s situations. Some problems are big and some are small, but she listened to every single one and offered advice on even the pieces that I thought were insignificant. She pays attention to you, thoughtfully carries out her responses, but is also very real with you and offers her own personal insight when she can. I love that she started our sessions with a smile and is genuinely happy to be a part of your journey. Highly recommend her!

Written on Sep 05, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue

Dr. Woods-Smith is absolutely awesome. I have had two to three therapist in the past, and I never felt heard, validated or healed like I did with Dr Woods-Smith. She has helped me so much that I can see and feel life changing. I know that I’m being heard. She is relatable and responsive. She’s a therapist, a good girl friend and a mentor. Best decision I made was to switch one last time and give therapy another day. I am grateful.

Written on Aug 30, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 10 months on issues concerning relationship

Highly recommended

Written on May 17, 2022 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd

Dr. Woods-Smith is analytical and understanding. She is very helpful and offers a variety of useful techniques to cope and lessen anxiety. I would definitely reccomend her to any of my friends and colleagues.

Written on Oct 27, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes

Dr. Woods was exactly what I needed in a therapist. Goals were set and met and I was able to see real change and a real shift in perspective when things were bleak. She was objective and informative. I would recommend her to anyone.

Written on Oct 19, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and career difficulties

Dr Woods-Smith has been really great at identifying specific challenges I need to work through. She provides me with actionable advice and listens carefully.

She will work best for anyone looking to receive support in navigating changes in their life or seeking another perspective on how to deal with negative emotions.

Written on Aug 25, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship

Very respectful. Provides great guidance/options to heal with her and on your own.

Written on Aug 14, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 1 week

First session down, and many to go. Dr. Woods-Smith is so genuine; I can tell she does not do this for fun or for the money, but that there is authentic compassion behind her great smile! As I spoke, she listened intently, encouraged me, and gave me some homework to prep for the next meeting. I so look forward to our next session.

Written on Aug 07, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem

Dr. Woods-Smith, is incredibly knowledgeable, she is kind, understanding and very appropriate. She takes her job seriously and genuinely wants to help. I am happy that I have connected with her, so has already helped me identify some very problematic areas in my life that need adjusting in order to help me become and ultimately feel better . I am confident that she possesses the level of skill and expertise to get the job done. Happy to recommend her services!

Written on Aug 07, 2021 after therapy with Shawanda for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and coaching

Wonderful Counselor. She makes me feel comfortable, a great listener and offers solutions to help me cope with my emotions and accomplish my goals. She has helped me achieved healing through God's Word. Highly recommend.

Work with me!