Leah Shanks, LPC-MHSP

Leah Shanks is a licensed professional counselor with the LPC-MHSP credential and 15 years of clinical experience in Tennessee. She helps people who are struggling with stress and anxiety, as well as trauma, eating and body-image concerns, low self-esteem, and motivation. Leah emphasizes a respectful, down-to-earth approach when someone reaches out for help.

She starts by listening closely to each person's story and identifying strengths they already have. Sessions focus on making small, practical changes that fit daily life. Leah uses straightforward tools and paced conversations rather than jargon or overly technical language.

Her background includes work with people experiencing depression, panic attacks, grief, and coping with life changes. Leah also has experience addressing compassion fatigue, impulsivity, and issues that can arise around pregnancy and childbirth. This range helps her tailor work to common challenges that often come together with anxiety and stress.

Leah draws on client-centered ways of working, cognitive behavioral ideas, mindfulness practices, somatic techniques, and EMDR-influenced methods where appropriate. She frames these as options to try together rather than fixed prescriptions. The focus is on what helps the individual feel steadier and more able to manage daily demands.

When someone is ready to begin, Leah supports them through the early steps of setting goals and building coping skills. She aims to make therapy understandable and usable so progress can continue between sessions.

Approaches that translate to online care

Leah uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral ideas in much of her counseling. Client-centered work means the conversation is shaped around the person's own goals and values, with the therapist following their lead. Cognitive behavioral work looks at thoughts and behaviors together, helping people try small changes that reduce symptoms like anxiety and panic.

She also draws on EMDR approaches for trauma-related distress when appropriate. EMDR-focused methods involve guided processing of traumatic memories and related reactions, often paired with stabilizing skills to manage intense emotions. These approaches can help with post-traumatic stress, panic, and strong emotional responses.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Leah will listen to your concerns, explain options plainly, and try methods that fit your needs and preferences. She reviews progress and adjusts the plan together so the work stays relevant to your goals.

The biography does not specify session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they can fit meetings into a busy day, avoid travel time, or choose shorter check-ins when needed. Therapists and licensed professionals tailor sessions to pace and focus so work can continue between meetings.