Transforming Lives with Compassionate, Expert Counseling
I’m Shawnda Burns, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Addiction Professional with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. My journey in this field is not just a profession; it's a personal commitment to helping individuals and families navigate their toughest challenges.
Philosophy and Approach
I believe that psychotherapy is about change and making yourself a priority. Life can become overwhelming and out of control. We become anxious and depressed about poor health, destructive relationships, losses, trauma, and endless disappointments. When you hear yourself say, “I don’t want to live this way any longer," you are ready to take your life back. Taking the first step towards getting help is often the most difficult. We are often thrown curveballs in life, and we need to learn how to accept life on life’s terms and at the same time maintain a sense of control and happiness.
I focus on the importance of valuing yourself, forgiving yourself for not being perfect, and most importantly, knowing that you are deserving. With a greater sense of self-worth, you will successfully pursue the things you need and want—relationships, work, education, etc.
As a clinician, my philosophy emphasizes the importance of the client/counselor relationship in ensuring the success of treatment.
As a therapist, my main focus is to help individuals, parents, and adolescents gain insight into themselves as well as their problems. My approach to counseling is compassionate, with the use of empowerment, personal strengths, insight, and humor to assist the client in addressing challenging issues and making positive life choices. My strength is in creating a non-judgmental environment where clients can feel comfortable without the fear of blame or stigma.
Areas of Specialty
Adolescent Issues (14+)
Parenting
Relationship Issues
Substance Abuse
Anxiety
Depression
Diabetes Family Support
College students (or high school students transitioning to college)
Empathy, Insight, and Empowerment
Change is possible at any age and under any circumstance. In my office, you'll often find two special and loving members of our therapeutic team—my beautiful therapy dogs, Buddy and Bear. With their calm and supportive presence, they bring an extra layer of warmth and comfort to each session. Buddy and Bear provide a unique, non-verbal form of support, helping to ease stress and create a safe, grounded space. Their gentle nature not only enhances our therapeutic work but also offers you a comforting, judgment-free environment to express and process your feelings.
Personalized Care
Whether dealing with anxiety, depression, health concerns, troubled relationships, losses, trauma, or endless disappointments, my approach is to help you prioritize yourself and initiate change. I understand that taking the first step towards help is often the hardest. But when you find yourself thinking, “I don’t want to live this way any longer,” know that you're ready to reclaim control over your life.
As a counselor, my areas of expertise are diverse, including addiction, substance abuse, family conflict, and more. Each client's journey is unique, and my role is to guide you through these complexities with expertise, care, and a deep understanding of the human experience.
Together, we will work towards understanding, healing, and ultimately reclaiming the joy and balance in your life. Let’s get started on this journey together.