PuttingFamilyFirst

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SM Portrait of Shaakira McMillon
Online therapist

Shaakira McMillon

Family-focused support for life changes

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Credentials
LCSW
Experience
7 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Shaakira

Shaakira McMillon is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California who focuses on family and parenting concerns alongside a broad range of related issues. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, compassion fatigue, and addiction. Shaakira also supports those dealing with intimacy issues, self-esteem challenges, eating concerns, and parenting questions.

Her tone is warm and straightforward, aiming to make tough conversations feel manageable. In sessions she uses clear techniques rather than jargon.

Background and approach

Shaakira draws on Client-Centered Therapy to build a respectful, nonjudgmental space. She applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and change reactions. Mindfulness tools are used to ease stress and bring attention back to the present moment.

Her background includes seven years working as a social worker. During that time she has supported people with caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, cancer-related concerns, and aging and geriatric issues. She has also worked with family-of-origin problems, communication and control issues, and situations involving domestic violence and fertility stress.

Shaakira blends practical skill-building with attention to personal stories. She uses Motivational Interviewing when people feel stuck and Narrative Therapy to help clients reframe life events. Sessions often include goal-setting and straightforward steps to try between meetings.

She offers services in English and practices in California. Therapy can address both immediate problems and longer-term patterns. Shaakira aims to be a steady partner for people navigating change, loss, or relationship strain.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and responding to the person in front of her. Shaakira focuses on building trust and understanding so clients can say what matters most. This approach helps people feel heard when dealing with family or parenting stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and change routines that keep problems going. Online sessions often include short exercises and practical homework to try between meetings to reduce anxiety or depressive symptoms.

Mindfulness Therapy trains attention to the present moment to reduce reactivity and ease stress. Simple breathing and grounding exercises are often practiced during sessions and can be used at home when feelings spike.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shaakira will discuss goals and preferences, try methods together, and adjust the plan based on what helps most. Clients have a say in which techniques fit their life and parenting demands.

Online therapy through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules. It makes it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, and appointments. The variety of formats also lets people choose how they communicate on days when talking feels hard or when brief check-ins are most helpful.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What worries does Shaakira help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, compassion fatigue, and addictions. Family and parenting concerns, intimacy and self-esteem issues are also within her focus.
What is her therapy style like?
Sessions are straightforward and relationship-focused. She emphasizes practical steps, listening, and collaborative goal-setting.
What kind of experience does she have?
She has seven years of experience as a social worker and has supported people with caregiver stress, chronic illness, aging issues, and family conflict.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, with license number CA LCSW 87641 and practices in California.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
Shaakira provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for flexible participation.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
7 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

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