Shandrieka Vallare, LCSW

Shandrieka Vallare is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience helping people face stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting strain, anger, and self-esteem struggles. She works with clients on relationship concerns, career stress, ADHD, and major life changes. Shandrieka aims to make therapy approachable and focused on practical steps that people can use right away.

She favors a clear, hands-on style that looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. Sessions often include learning concrete skills, trying new small behaviors between meetings, and checking what works. She also uses mindfulness to help people stay present and calm when emotions feel overwhelming.

Shandrieka trained at Southern University at New Orleans and holds LCSW credentials in Texas and Louisiana. Her clinical background includes work in inpatient settings and community programs, offering individual counseling across the lifespan including young children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric clients.

In sessions she listens for what matters most to each person and builds a plan from there. The work can involve managing symptoms, improving communication, coping with loss, or setting career and life goals. She emphasizes small, realistic changes that add up over time.

People who choose her can expect a collaborative approach that mixes evidence-based tools with practical problem solving. Appointments are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging to fit different schedules and needs.

How her approaches work in online therapy

Shandrieka uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT focuses on practical exercises and small experiments to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change patterns that get in the way of daily life.

She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people clarify values and take committed action even when strong emotions are present. ACT is useful for coping with life changes, grief, and chronic stress by shifting the focus toward meaningful activities rather than battling unwanted feelings.

Finding the best approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, then tailor techniques so they fit the person and their life. That might mean combining CBT skill work with mindfulness practices or ACT values work, depending on what the client needs.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, giving practical flexibility. Video is helpful for face-to-face conversation and teaching skills. Phone sessions can be a lower-bandwidth option or work better on a busy day. Live chat and text messaging let clients check in between sessions or use shorter timely supports without a full appointment.