Shawna PankoninLPC

Shawna Pankonin is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) based in Mississippi who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, parenting challenges, and pregnancy and childbirth related concerns. She brings 14 years of experience in many settings, including homes, schools, youth court systems, outpatient services, and a Child Advocacy Center. Her approach is warm and straightforward and designed for people who want practical support.

Shawna listens first and asks questions to understand each person's background. She treats clients as the experts on their own lives and builds goals from there. Sessions focus on real skills - coping strategies, stress reduction, communication practice, and steps to manage mood or trauma symptoms.

Her work draws on client-centered methods alongside cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, narrative work, and solution-focused tools. She adapts methods to the person rather than forcing a set style. Expect a collaborative tone and a focus on small, achievable changes.

Shawna has spent many years working with children, adolescents, and people involved in state custody settings, which shaped her understanding of complex trauma and family systems. She also supports people dealing with fertility, adoption, blended family issues, caregiver stress, and domestic violence concerns.

She is clear that change takes time and effort, and she commits to walking alongside people willing to do the work. The goal is to help clients gain confidence, reduce distress, and move toward the life they want.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy means the therapist follows the person's lead, asking questions and reflecting what matters most to them. This approach helps when someone needs validation, clearer goals, or a space to sort through big life changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical experiments and skill-building. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and managing mood or parenting challenges.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple awareness and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase focus. It often helps people cope with stress, trauma reminders, and strong emotions by building small daily habits.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is revisited as progress is made so the plan can change over time.

Practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions into a busy schedule, reducing travel time, and making it easier to check in during a work break or between appointments. Because session formats were not specified in the biography, confirm current options before booking so you know how sessions will be held. Licensed professionals can tailor online sessions to focus on skills practice, thought work, mindfulness exercises, or narrative reflection, matching each person’s everyday life and goals.