Shannon Smith

Hi. I'm Shannon. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My areas of interest include personality and identity development, LGBTQIA concerns (including gender dysphoria, gender exploration & gender transition), depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, grief and loss, men's mental health, post-trauma intervention, and treatment for problem sexual behavior. Before beginning my career in counseling, I worked in the field of victim services for 15 years, serving as a professional victim advocate in five different states and speaking on a local and national level about the effects of sexual violence. I remain passionate about the issues related to sexual trauma and victimization. I have provided individual and group treatment for those convicted of sexual offenses since 2015, and I have facilitated a process group for victims of sexual violence since 2019. I am honored to work alongside clients on their journeys towards self-discovery, healing and wellness. I am both compassionate and direct. I practice with an anti-discrimination, anti-oppression, and anti-racist orientation, and I care about how your personal experiences have influenced your view of yourself, of others, and of the world. I use an integrative, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach to counseling to assist clients in their personal growth and development. I strive to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for members of the LGBTQIA community. I will be affirming of your gender and sexual identity, and I hope to assist you though regular therapy or by providing needed letters for gender-affirming medical care. As a member of SAIGE (Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expressive Identities), WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health), and GALAP (The Gender-Affirming Letter Access Project), I engage in ongoing continuing education and consultation regarding issues that affect the mental health and wellness of LGBTQIA clients.