Shawna Chandler, LCSW

Shawna Chandler is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk through difficult feelings and think about next steps. Shawna speaks plainly and aims to make the first steps feel manageable for someone who is nervous about starting therapy.

With two decades of experience in California, Shawna draws on several approaches to match each person’s needs. She uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice thoughts without getting stuck in them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She also incorporates client-centered skills to keep sessions focused on the person’s goals.

Shawna typically explores how past experiences shape current responses and looks for small, practical changes clients can use between sessions. For people affected by trauma and abuse, EMDR-informed techniques may be part of the work when appropriate. She also teaches mindfulness and DBT skills to help manage intense emotions and reduce reactivity.

Sessions focus on setting clear, reachable goals and building strategies for day-to-day life. Shawna encourages steady progress rather than quick fixes and supports people as they practice new skills. She frames therapy as a collaborative process in which the client decides the pace and priorities.

Her background includes long-term clinical work across varied settings in California. Shawna brings a patient, steady presence and practical tools to help someone move toward a more fulfilling, balanced life.