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Shemica Cole

Therapist profile

Shemica Cole, LICSW

District of Columbia

LICSW - Relationships and parenting concerns

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About

  • Attachment-based work
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Mindfulness and DBT skills

About Shemica

Shemica Cole is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in the District of Columbia with 24 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns, and she helps people manage parenting strain, trauma and abuse histories, addiction concerns, grief, and challenges at work.

She uses conversational, client-centered methods to identify practical next steps. Sessions often focus on building coping skills, reducing anxiety, improving communication, and managing mood symptoms. She also addresses intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem in concrete ways rather than abstract talk.

Shemica draws on several clinical approaches to guide sessions. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape behavior. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps spot and change unhelpful thinking and routines. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness skills are used for emotion regulation and stress management.

Her practice includes work on specific themes such as adoption and foster care, abandonment, blended family stress, caregiver strain, and coping after loss or disasters. She also supports people dealing with codependency, communication problems, control issues, and the effects of domestic violence.

People can expect straightforward discussion about goals and a plan they can try between sessions. Language of service is English, and she accepts international clients. To begin, visitors follow the site process to complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session.

How sessions work

How her approaches translate to online sessions

Attachment-based work looks at how early and current relationships influence how people respond to stress. Online sessions using attachment ideas focus on patterns in relationships and practical steps to change reactions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, actions, and feelings; it teaches straightforward exercises to test assumptions and try new behaviors. Mindfulness practice and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) techniques help with staying present, managing intense emotions, and reducing overwhelm.

Choosing which approach to use is part of the early work. She will discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust the plan together as needed. This is a collaborative process where preferences and daily routines shape how therapy proceeds.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time. Many people find skills practice and homework fit more naturally into daily life when therapy is remote, and clinicians can adapt activities to shorter or longer sessions to suit schedules.

Areas of focus

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityJealousyMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsParanoiaPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexualityWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

24+ years

Listed in

District of Columbia

Languages

English

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What sorts of concerns does she help with?

She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, parenting strain, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, and related issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She uses a conversational, client-centered approach with practical tools. Sessions often include skill-building from CBT, DBT, and mindfulness.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 24 years of clinical experience as a licensed social worker in the District of Columbia.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a LICSW licensed in the District of Columbia and practices there.

Does she offer sessions in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

Yes, she accepts international clients.

How are session costs handled?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with scheduling?

Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.

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Shemica Cole

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