Shalanda Tookes Wilder, LPC-A. Anxiety, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions
Believe you can and you’re halfway there
- Theodore Roosevelt
Shalanda Tookes Wilder, LPC-A
Supervised by Jacqueline Maye
Professional Profile
Shalanda Tookes Wilder is a dedicated psychotherapist with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. Shalanda is passionate about supporting clients through various life transitions, including perinatal challenges, military adjustments, career changes, and substance use issues. Her holistic approach emphasizes understanding each individual's unique journey, fostering resilience, and promoting overall well-being.
Shalanda earned her dual Master’s in Marriage & Family Therapy and Professional Counseling and is currently finishing her Psy.D. in Grief Counseling with a clinical psychology specialization. She employs evidence-based practices, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), to meet the specific needs of her clients. She believes in creating a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can explore their thoughts and feelings, gain insight, and develop effective coping strategies. Her commitment to professional development ensures that she stays current with the latest therapeutic techniques and trends in mental health.
Shalanda's empathetic nature and extensive experience make her a trusted partner for those navigating life's complexities. She is dedicated to empowering her clients to achieve their personal goals and enhance their quality of life, one step at a time.
Specialties
Anxiety
ADHD
CBT
Depression
DBT
Grief and Loss
Infertility
Life Transitions
Insurance
Aetna
BCBS
Curative
Sana
Private Pay / Self Pay
Welcome!
I’m so glad you are taking this important step to make your mental health a priority. I seek to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you are free to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you are navigating anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, or seeking greater self-understanding, I am here to walk alongside you with compassion and care. Reaching out for support takes courage, and I am honored that you are here considering beginning this journey. Together, we can work towards healing, growth, and a deeper sense of balance in your life.
How I Work
Therapy is a collaborative relationship between the therapist and client. As a person-centered therapist, I believe the client is the expert of their own life. I will collaborate with you to draw up goals in a non-judgmental space and help you find clarity with what is bringing you to counseling. I am also very big on self-care. Self-care
is not selfish. It’s a necessity we must all engage in regularly to protect our whole being.
I work mostly from a cognitive behavioral and positive psychology perspective as I believe the mind, our beliefs, and our self-talk largely impact the way we behave, think about ourselves, and think about people and events within our environment (work,
home, school, etc.). We’ll work on reframing thoughts, practice kindness and patience with ourselves and any other goals you would like to address.
As a person-centered therapist, I believe the client is the expert of their own life.
Therapist Spotlight
What made you decide to become a counselor?
I can remember being in class in middle school and being asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Even then, I wanted to be in a helping profession where I worked with people and their mental health, in particular. During graduate school, my focus on marriages and families grew from a recognition of how profoundly our relationships and support systems shape our mental health. I had come to understand just how much our relationships and social connections shape who we are and how we cope. I have since expanded my work to include clients dealing with substance use, new mothers, career
transitions, those experiencing grief, and individuals navigating all kinds of life transitions.
If you could teach the world one skill or technique to improve their lives, what would it be?
I would teach the world how to be more productive so that they could prioritize their self-care, minimize distractions, and reach more of their personal goals.
Have you personally been in counseling and if so, what did you learn about yourself?
Yes, I went into counseling when I was going through conflict with being a stay-at-home mom and re-entering the workforce. My therapist did a great job of helping me reconnect with myself as an individual and figure out what I really wanted to do with my
career.
If you could recommend one book to all your clients, what would it be?
I would recommend “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” It’s a short story about a baby who was born old and ages backwards. It has its funny moments and sad moments as well and makes me think about the dynamics of relationships, societal influence, human behavior, and fate.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is someone who is willing to commit to the therapeutic process and motivated to work on change as therapy is about change. It’s ok to not have all the answers, but it is important to show up for sessions. That consistency and commitment is where the deepest work happens.
What inspires you to help others?
I enjoy watching clients have breakthroughs and meeting goals and it makes me excited about working with the next client.
How do you personally practice self-care?
I practice self-care by giving myself alone time at least once a week. I like to sit outside on my patio, work in my garden, watch documentaries, and recreate salads from restaurant menus.
If you are hosting a dinner party, who are the 3 people you would invite and why?
Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, and Salvador Minuchin. I would like to get tips from all three of these people as they are/were successful in their own way.
How do you relate to Mindfulness? How do you incorporate it in your sessions?
One way I practice mindfulness is eating with no distractions. If I am eating alone, I sit quietly and pay attention to how my food tastes, its texture, and the sounds in my environment rather than eating hurriedly and moving on to the next thing in my day. I encourage mindfulness with clients in session by having them pay attention to sounds in the office, doing a body scan, and commenting on how the floor feels under their feet, for example.