Shanna Downing, LCSW

Shanna Downing is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on practical, evidence-based strategies to ease stress and anxiety. She uses straightforward talk and goal-oriented steps to help people manage depression, grief, career challenges, and life transitions.

Shanna has 13 years of clinical experience and practices in Utah. She meets people where they are and adapts conversations and plans to fit each person’s situation. Her approach centers on listening first and then working together to set realistic goals.

Cognitive behavioral techniques are often part of her work, helping people notice patterns of thought and try different behaviors to see what shifts. She also draws on client-centered methods to keep sessions guided by the person’s concerns and priorities.

Mindfulness exercises and solution-focused strategies are used to build short-term coping skills and practical next steps. Motivational interviewing supports people who want to make changes but feel stuck or unsure where to begin.

Shanna also has experience in hospice and end-of-life counseling and can support people navigating grief and difficult transitions. She aims to create a calm, respectful space for problem solving and emotional processing.

Treatment plans are tailored and revisited as needed so goals stay relevant. People who work with her can expect clear suggestions, gentle challenge, and steady support as they try new ways of coping.

Practical approaches for online therapy

Shanna uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, and everyday stress because it focuses on small, observable changes that can make a difference.

She also relies on client-centered therapy to keep sessions guided by the person’s concerns and pace. This approach emphasizes listening and respect while you decide what work feels most useful. Mindfulness techniques are used to teach simple exercises that reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation in the moment.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made. The plan is revisited regularly so it stays relevant and practical.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which let people fit therapy into busy days. Video is good for deeper conversations that benefit from face-to-face interaction, phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited, and chat or messaging can be used for brief check-ins or between-session support. These options increase flexibility and make it easier to keep momentum between appointments.