Shay Bankston , LISW

Shay Bankston is a licensed therapist practicing in Ohio with more than 20 years of clinical experience. As an LISW - Licensed Independent Social Worker, she combines extensive training and practical experience to support people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions.

She is committed to creating an affirming therapeutic environment that honors diverse identities and life stories. Her practice places particular emphasis on working with individuals experiencing social anxiety, isolation, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress, and she brings particular sensitivity to the needs of first responders and LGBTQ+ clients.

Shay uses a collaborative, person-centered approach designed to help clients develop practical coping strategies and build emotional resilience. Grounded in evidence-based practices and informed by a trauma-aware perspective, her work aims to help people reconnect with their inner strengths and move forward with greater clarity and self-understanding.

She is accepting new clients, including international clients, and offers flexible session formats to fit different lifestyles and schedules, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

Evidence-informed approaches and online therapy options

Shay often integrates a person-centered approach that focuses on understanding each client as an individual and supporting personal goals. This approach emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and practical steps to build coping skills, which can be helpful for issues like depression and life changes.

She also works from a trauma-informed perspective, which acknowledges how past experiences can shape current responses and prioritizes safety, pacing, and empowerment. This orientation is useful for addressing trauma, post-traumatic stress, and challenging emotional reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shay collaborates with clients to identify which techniques and strategies fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds and new priorities emerge.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. Through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, licensed professionals and therapists can provide consistent support in formats that suit different communication styles and schedules, making it easier to maintain momentum between sessions.