Shanekka Brown-Johnson

LMFT

California

Compassionate therapist focusing on practical change

Continue with Shanekka

At a glance

Credentials

LMFT

License

LMFT, California / 145841; LMFT, Alaska / 238586

NPI

1528629623

Experience

14 years

Languages

English

Location

California

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

1. • Motivational interviewing
   • Acceptance and commitment therapy
   • CBT and DBT tools

   About Shanekka

   Shanekka Brown-Johnson is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, and major life changes. She uses straightforward, practical conversation to help clients notice what matters and take steps toward clearer thinking and calmer days. Shanekka writes plainly and listens for what each person needs to move forward.

   She draws from several well-known approaches, including Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Client-Centered Therapy. Sessions often focus on small, doable changes: testing new coping skills, shifting unhelpful thoughts, and building values-based action. The work is collaborative and paced to each person’s readiness.

   Shanekka has 14 years of clinical experience and has worked across settings such as residential mental health, substance abuse treatment, schools, domestic violence and family shelters, and outpatient services. That background informs a flexible style that adapts to varied concerns and life situations. Her emphasis is on practical skills and problem-solving alongside deeper reflection.

   She also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care issues, caregiver stress, family of origin concerns, and multicultural questions. Common topics include panic, mood disorders, guilt and shame, isolation, and finding purpose at midlife. Her approach blends empathy with clear steps to try between sessions.

   Shanekka is based in California and holds AK LMFT and CA LMFT credentials. She speaks English and connects with people from many backgrounds to help them build resilience and clearer direction.

2. Approaches that guide online sessions

   Shanekka often draws on Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her work. Motivational Interviewing focuses on gently exploring what matters to someone and strengthening their own reasons for change, which can help with motivation and substance use recovery. ACT teaches how to notice thoughts without getting stuck and to take actions that match personal values, useful for anxiety and life transitions. CBT breaks down unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
   
   Finding the right approach is part of the process and happens together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to identify goals, try different techniques, and adjust what isn’t helping. This means treatment can shift over time to better match needs and preferences.
   
   If you plan to use online therapy, confirm current session options before booking. Shanekka’s background supports applied skill-building and brief behavioral experiments that fit into everyday life. Online work can make it easier to schedule sessions around work or caregiving, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people practice skills in real-world settings between meetings. Discuss format and timing when scheduling to find what works best for your routine and goals.

4. Areas of expertise

   Primary focus

   Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

   Additional focus areas

   AbandonmentAdoption and foster careCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

   Therapeutic approaches

   Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

   Experience

   14+ years

   Listed in

   California, Alaska

   Languages

   English

5. Frequently asked questions

   What concerns does Shanekka commonly address?

   She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focuses include panic, mood issues, caregiver stress, and family of origin concerns.

   What is her therapeutic style like?

   The style is collaborative and practical, combining gentle listening with concrete skills practice. Sessions often include problem-solving, values clarification, and experiments to try between appointments.

   How much clinical experience does she have?

   She has 14 years of experience working in residential mental health, substance abuse treatment, schools, shelters, and outpatient settings.

   What credentials and location are listed?

   Shanekka holds LMFT credentials with AK LMFT and CA LMFT and is based in California.

   Can sessions be held in languages other than English?

   Sessions are offered in English.

   Are international clients supported?

   International clients are not currently accepted.

   How does cost and billing work?

   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?

   Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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