- Years in practice
- 15
- Credentials
- LPC-MHSP
- Licensed in
- Tennessee
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Eating disorders
About Leah
Leah Shanks is a licensed professional counselor with mental health service provider endorsement, LPC-MHSP, practicing in Tennessee. She brings 15 years of clinical experience helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or parenting pressures. Leah frames the first step toward change as an act of courage and offers steady support as people begin that work.
Leah believes each person knows their own story best. She listens closely and helps clients notice strengths they can use to move forward.
Background and approach
Sessions focus on practical steps that feel doable, not on jargon or long lectures. Her background includes work with trauma and abuse, eating and body image concerns, and mood disorders. She also addresses panic, social anxiety, and challenges tied to pregnancy and childbirth.
Leah pays attention to how emotions show up in the body and in day-to-day habits. Her approach combines client-centered care with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and somatic practices are also part of her work when trauma or intense physical reactions are involved.
Leah adapts techniques to fit each person’s pace and needs. People who seek Leah's support often want clear steps and practical coping skills alongside emotional understanding. She helps clients set small goals, try new strategies between sessions, and build on progress over time.
What Leah works with
Everything Leah lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Leah helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Eating disorders
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Body image
- Eating and food-related issues
- Impulsivity
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-harm
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Leah lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches for online healing and coping
Leah commonly blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR when appropriate. Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person's perspective and building on their strengths to set manageable goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps identify unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and teaches concrete skills to change them. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, when used, targets distress linked to traumatic memories by pairing guided recall with bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity.Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Leah discusses options with each person and adjusts methods to match their goals, tolerance, and pace. That collaborative planning helps ensure techniques feel useful and not overwhelming.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter audio check-in fits someone’s schedule. Live chat or text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill practice between sessions, or when typing feels easier than speaking. These formats make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives.
Questions people ask about Leah
What concerns does Leah commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, eating and body image issues, parenting pressures, ADHD-related challenges, and related concerns such as panic and social anxiety.
What is her general therapy style?
Leah uses a client-centered style that emphasizes listening and collaboration, combined with practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindful awareness exercises.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 15 years of professional work experience supporting people with a range of mood, trauma, and behavior-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Leah holds the LPC-MHSP credential and is licensed in Tennessee.
Which languages are used in sessions and can she work internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available for working together?
She meets with people via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer flexibility in how therapy fits into daily life.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Leah?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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