Shannon Smith, LISW

Shannon Smith is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) with ten years of experience in behavioral health. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, bipolar symptoms, anger, grief, and struggles with sleep, eating, or self-esteem. Shannon also supports those coping with career changes, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and a wide range of related concerns. She serves as both a civilian therapist and a social work officer in the Army National Guard and practices in Ohio.

Shannon favors a person-centered style that emphasizes listening and gentle, respectful feedback. She helps people build practical coping skills to calm the body and quiet racing thoughts. Techniques she uses include grounding and other exercises to reduce distress and promote self-soothing.

Her approach draws from several evidence-based methods, including cognitive behavioral ideas, acceptance and commitment tools, attachment-informed work, and strategies from dialectical behavior therapy. She combines these with her personal faith when clients wish to include spiritual values in care.

Clients can expect collaborative goal-setting and tailored plans that fit their needs. Shannon focuses on strengths and practical steps people can use between sessions. She aims to help people move from feeling overwhelmed to noticing steady improvement in daily routines and relationships.

Her background in adult mental health includes a Master of Science and Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. Shannon values detailed listening and clear, compassionate guidance while people work through difficult life events and healing processes.

How these approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then commit to small actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms such as depression, panic, or sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relationship patterns and how early bonds affect current responses, which can help with attachment issues, codependency, and some trauma-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shannon will work with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. That might mean using ACT skills one week and CBT tools the next, always adapting as progress is made.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule and maintain momentum between visits. It can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people use techniques like grounding in real-life settings. Please confirm the available session formats before booking so you know how appointments are held.