Shanekka Brown-Johnson, LMFT

Shanekka Brown-Johnson is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 14 years of experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and midlife change. She writes and talks plainly in sessions so clients can make small changes that fit real life. She aims to build trust quickly and focus on goals each person brings to therapy.

She draws on several practical approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and motivational interviewing. Sessions often include skill practice, problem-solving, and looking at patterns that keep problems going. Conversations look at values and what matters now, and then map small steps toward change.

Her background includes work in residential mental health, substance abuse treatment, schools, domestic violence and family shelters, and outpatient settings. That experience informs how she supports people through trauma, mood concerns, and life transitions. She also has experience supporting people managing co-occurring substance use issues.

Shanekka emphasizes culturally aware, person-centered care. She pays attention to each person’s background and adapts the conversation to fit their needs. Her approach is collaborative and practical, helping people build tools they can use between sessions.

She works in California and holds LMFT credentials in Alaska and California. Sessions are offered in English. To begin, readers are invited to use the Start Therapy button and complete a short questionnaire to match with her.

Approaches that shape online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking committed steps toward those values. It helps with anxiety, depression, and life changes by combining mindful awareness with practical action. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, mood concerns, and panic symptoms. Motivational Interviewing centers on a person’s own reasons for change and helps build momentum when someone feels stuck or unsure.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Shanekka will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That means trying strategies, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the plan together as needs evolve.

Confirm the session formats available before booking, as the profile does not list specific options. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life by reducing travel time and allowing check-ins during work breaks or at different times of day. It can also make it simpler to practice skills in everyday settings and to follow up on homework between visits. A therapist will discuss how to structure sessions so they work with a person’s schedule and needs.