LaWanda Hanes | Dallas Couples Therapy, Trauma, Self-Esteem & CBT

LaWanda’s Bio

Background: LaWanda truly is the product of a diverse collection of locations, cultures, and experiences, having grown up as the daughter of a US serviceman. As she has gathered life experiences in her various roles as a daughter, sister, wife and mother, she’s learned that leveraging her god-given strengths and abilities, circumstances, and relationships is key to fulfillment, impact and success. Knowing first-hand the difficulty caused by not fully knowing and embracing who you are and how you were created to think, feel, and choose, LaWanda is passionate about helping each individual develop a healthy self concept while healing the wounds of their past, eliminating self-limiting beliefs, and activating their strengths and passions to live with more joy and fulfillment.

Professional experience: LaWanda has a corporate background in which she served as a human resource specialist, providing career guidance and support for consulting executives. Preferring the part of her work responsibilities associated with career counseling and personal and professional development, LaWanda left corporate America to pursue a career as a licensed professional counselor.

Dallas Trauma Counselor

Initially serving as a domestic violence counseling intern with a local Dallas area women’s shelter, LaWanda practices trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy. She has worked with women and men ranging from emerging adulthood (late teens-early 20’s) through late adulthood. She has also facilitated psycho-educational support groups for victims of domestic violence and has experience in treating a wide range of trauma-related symptoms, including PTSD and emotional abuse. LaWanda is both educated and skilled in biblical counseling, having experience as a counseling intern with Mission Arlington, and as an LPC-A with the Oakcliff Bible Fellowship Counseling Center.

Additionally, she has experience in treating a wide range of mental health issues, including adverse childhood experiences, childhood trauma, anxiety, and domestic violence. As a trauma therapist and PTSD specialist, LaWanda is dedicated to creating a safe space for therapeutic work and helping individuals heal from past traumatic incidents. Traumatic events include emotional, physical or sexual abuse, a car wreck, robbery, grief, sudden loss, dog bitesand more. Trauma therapy can improve their overall quality of life through personalized treatment plans, a safe space to process emotions, coping skills, and tools to manage psychological symptoms.

How can a Dallas trauma counselor help bring healing to individuals dealing with PTSD?

A trauma counselor in Dallas can help individuals dealing with PTSD by providing therapy sessions tailored to their needs, offering coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety, and creating a safe space for clients to process and heal from traumatic experiences.

LaWanda specializes in:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Self esteem and self concept
• Couples counseling
• Trauma informed care.

She has a strong ability to help others feel comfortable and safe in her presence as she is compassionate, empathetic, and energetic, and allows individuals to feel heard and accepted. LaWanda is passionate about helping every individual heal from the hurts of their past, become the person they are destined to be and maximize their full potential.

Education: LaWanda holds a M.A. in Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) license with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council under the supervision of Dr. Jada Jackson, LPC-S. As a counselor, LaWanda leverages Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Positive Psychology to help clients identify and reframe the limiting beliefs, distortions, and mindsets shaped by life’s experiences to achieve healing, restoration, and transformation, particularly for those dealing with PTSD.