- Person-centered care
- Practical coping skills
- Trauma-informed approach
About Shawna
Shawna Pankonin is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Mississippi who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, and codependency. She has focused experience with parenting, grief, career concerns, bipolar disorder, and LGBT issues. Shawna writes and speaks plainly and meets people where they are in life.
She brings 14 years of experience in a range of settings, including homes, residential care, schools, youth court systems, outpatient services, and a Child Advocacy Center. That background means she has worked with many clinical issues across ages and situations. Her work often centers on helping people reduce stress, handle anxiety, and address complex trauma and family conflict.
Shawna practices in a person-centered way. She starts by listening and treating each person as the expert on their own life. From there she shapes therapy to fit a person's values, beliefs, and daily life.
Her methods draw on cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, narrative and solution-focused tools, and motivational interviewing. She adapts these methods to practical goals such as clearer communication, better mood management, and healthier boundaries.
Shawna describes her style as warm and supportive while also direct when a person is ready to tackle hard work. She aims to help people set clear goals, break problems into manageable steps, and build confidence to move forward. If someone is ready to commit to change, she offers steady guidance through that process.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Shawna commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness as part of her work. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical experiments, which can help with anxiety, depression, and mood regulation. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm for stress and trauma symptoms. She also draws on client-centered and solution-focused ideas, which emphasize listening, collaboration, and small, achievable steps toward change. Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Shawna will work together with each person to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and everyday life. The practical benefits of online therapy can include easier scheduling, fewer travel demands, and the ability to fit sessions into a busy day. Because the biography did not list specific session formats, confirm current options before booking to know what is possible. Online work can make it simpler to practice CBT exercises between sessions, try mindfulness skills in real time, and focus on communication or boundary-setting tasks that relate directly to daily routines.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Credentials
Mississippi
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Shawna often address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and codependency among other issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centered and warm, while also focused on practical steps and goals. She tailors methods to each person rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.
What kind of background does she bring to therapy?
Shawna has 14 years of experience working in homes, residential care, schools, youth court settings, outpatient services, and a Child Advocacy Center, giving her broad exposure to different clinical needs.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds an MS and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Mississippi.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.