Shawna Pankonin, LPC

Shawna Pankonin is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Mississippi with 14 years of clinical experience. She has worked across a variety of settings - in homes, providing residential level-of-care therapy services, in schools, within youth court systems throughout the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, in outpatient programs, and at a Child Advocacy Center. Those roles have given her experience with a broad range of clinical concerns and clients of different ages and backgrounds.

Her clinical focus includes stress reduction, anxiety, depression, anger management, family conflict, parenting skills, relationship concerns, and complex trauma and abuse, along with a wide variety of other mental health disorders. Shawna’s commitment to mental health grew from years of supporting children, adolescents, and families in state custody and from witnessing friends and family members navigate mental illness. She recognizes how overwhelming seeking help can feel, and she also knows how meaningful change can be when someone finds the right support and takes steps to care for themselves.

Shawna uses a person-centered, holistic, and eclectic approach, beginning where each client is and tailoring treatment to individual needs while considering personal beliefs and lifestyle. She primarily relies on evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused counseling, while also integrating more classical counseling approaches when appropriate. Her style is warm and supportive yet direct - creative in practice and flexible in session structure so therapy can move where it needs to for the client to make progress. She frames therapy as a collaborative effort that requires time and work, and she offers guidance and partnership for clients willing to engage in the process to establish goals, understand problems, and build confidence to move forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shawna integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness techniques into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, validation, and helping the individual be the expert on their own experience - it is useful for building self-esteem, improving relationships, and navigating life transitions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) examines the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage depression, and change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-focused awareness and grounding practices that can reduce stress and support emotional regulation, which often helps with anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and mood concerns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Shawna works collaboratively with each client to identify methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time so care remains responsive and effective. Clients are invited to share what works for them and to participate in shaping the plan for treatment.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, and other commitments, and they allow consistent contact with a licensed professional from different locations. For many people, remote sessions provide a practical way to receive regular support while maintaining daily responsibilities.