Shantra Beane Gray, LCMHC

Shantra Beane Gray is a licensed counselor in North Carolina with 22 years of professional experience supporting people through addiction and grief. As an LCMHC - Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor - she draws on long-term clinical work to help individuals navigate drug and alcohol addiction, the complexities of loss, and related concerns such as codependency, communication difficulties, domestic violence, and women's issues.

Her approach emphasizes creating an open, nonjudgmental space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed honestly. Shantra works collaboratively with each person to identify goals and build practical coping strategies, recognizing that seeking change requires courage and commitment. She aims to empower clients as they take the first steps toward a more fulfilling and resilient life.

Clients can expect an empathetic, steady presence focused on skill-building and emotional processing, tailored to the unique needs that arise from addiction and grief. Shantra’s practice is centered on respect, clear communication, and measurable progress, helping people move forward at a pace that feels safe and realistic for them.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shantra Beane Gray integrates proven therapeutic methods to address addiction, grief, and related challenges. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and build actions aligned with those values, even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise - this can support recovery from substance use and coping with loss. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy and acceptance, giving clients space to explore their emotions and make decisions at their own pace; this approach is useful for improving communication and rebuilding trust after domestic or relational challenges. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and gentle attention to internal experience, which can reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation during grief or cravings.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Shantra works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. This partnership helps ensure therapy feels relevant and practical for daily life.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - so people can engage from locations that suit them. These options make it easier to attend sessions around work, family, or mobility constraints, and provide continuity of care when in-person meetings are not feasible. Licensed professionals can deliver effective support through these formats, helping clients move toward their goals with convenience and consistency.