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LCSW

Shawna Chandler, LCSW

  • Experience20 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
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About Shawna

Shawna Chandler is a California-licensed LCSW with two decades of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression.

Background and approach

She frames work with clients as a collaborative process, inviting them to explore thoughts and emotions in a nonjudgmental setting while offering practical tools to reduce distress and build resilience.

Her approach blends Internal Family Systems with evidence-based strategies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to tailor interventions to each person’s needs. Shawna emphasizes creating an open therapeutic environment where clients can safely examine patterns, try new coping skills, and move toward clearer values and goals.

She supports clients through transitions like separation or caregiving challenges and attends to complex presentations including co-morbidity, personality-related concerns, and trauma-related difficulties. Throughout her 20 years of practice, Shawna aims to empower people to take courageous steps toward more satisfying, sustainable change by combining compassionate listening with concrete behavioral and mindfulness-based techniques.

Integrating Therapeutic Approaches in Online Practice

Shawna commonly draws on Internal Family Systems to help clients recognize and dialogue with different parts of themselves, which can clarify internal conflicts and reduce shame related to trauma or relationship struggles. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people identify values, accept difficult feelings, and take committed action toward meaningful goals. Client-centered principles guide the work throughout, emphasizing empathy, validation, and collaboration to create a respectful space for exploration.

Choosing the most helpful approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist and client will discuss symptoms, goals, and preferences and then try tailored interventions, adjusting methods as needed so the work fits the client’s life and priorities rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which offer flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain regular contact, practice skills between sessions, and access care from different locations while working with a licensed professional committed to practical, person-focused treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does Shawna commonly help with?
Shawna works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, self-esteem concerns, and depression, along with related issues such as abandonment, caregiver stress, communication problems, and domestic violence.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
She uses a collaborative, client-centered stance and integrates approaches like Internal Family Systems, ACT, CBT, and DBT to combine emotional exploration with practical skills practice.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Shawna brings 20 years of professional experience to her practice, applying a range of therapeutic techniques developed over that time.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She holds an LCSW and is licensed in California with license number CA LCSW 118012.
Does she offer services in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
Shawna provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as options for online work.
How are costs structured for therapy with her?
Fees vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English