Shawnte' Gates, LCMHC

Shawnte' Gates is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina who uses a person-centered approach to guide people through stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions. She works with adults to build self-esteem, manage mood challenges, and navigate life changes. Her style is warm and supportive and she focuses on practical steps people can use right away.

She begins therapy by meeting clients where they are and tailoring the work to each person. Shawnte' draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to help change unhelpful thinking and on mindfulness to support present-moment coping. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused strategies help people set realistic goals and find motivation to make changes.

Her background includes work in residential settings, in-home care, and outpatient programs over a decade in the mental health field. That range of experience shaped the way she blends techniques and keeps the work practical and concrete. Shawnte' emphasizes cultural sensitivity and pays attention to how identity and life context affect progress.

Sessions often focus on identifying small, achievable steps. She helps people learn skills for anxiety, manage depressive episodes, cope with trauma-related reactions, and address substance-related concerns. The goal is to leave each session with a clearer plan and doable practices to try between meetings.

Shawnte' invites a collaborative process where clients set goals and track progress together. She encourages people to be honest about what’s working and what isn’t, so the plan can shift as needed. Taking the first step is framed as a courageous move toward change.

Approaches that guide online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting therapeutic relationship. It helps people feel heard and supported while they figure out what changes matter most to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical tools to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful patterns. Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify their own reasons for change and strengthens motivation when making difficult adjustments.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Shawnte' works together with each person to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and daily life. The early sessions are often used to try techniques and decide what feels most helpful, with adjustments made as needed.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. It can also let people practice skills between sessions in the real places they live and work, which can help make new habits stick.