Profile / United States
Dr. Freda Shipman, LCSW
Virginia
LCSW - grief and life changes
See online therapy options- CBT and practical skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Geriatric and caregiver focus
About Freda
Dr. Freda Shipman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 25 years of clinical experience based in Virginia. She helps people facing grief, anxiety, stress, relationship struggles, parenting concerns, and life changes. She also supports those coping with trauma and abuse, career adjustments, and issues around self-esteem and anger.
Her practice uses clear, practical methods to address everyday problems. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to notice unhelpful thought patterns and test different responses. She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen deeply, Motivational Interviewing to clarify goals, Solution-Focused Therapy to set short-term steps, and Internal Family Systems to look at inner parts when helpful.
In sessions she focuses on specific goals and small experiments people can try between meetings. That might include tracking thoughts, practicing new communication skills, or planning steps for a career change. She discusses options and adapts the work based on progress and feedback.
Her background includes work with aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, cancer and hospice concerns, intellectual disability, autism and Asperger syndrome, and veteran and armed forces issues. She also addresses family of origin problems, divorce and separation, money and financial issues, and life purpose questions.
People can expect straightforward conversation about problems, practical strategies to try, and regular check-ins on what is or isn’t helping. To begin, clients follow the site process to match and book a first session.
Using CBT and person-centered methods in online sessions
Dr. Shipman draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and test thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. CBT often focuses on short, concrete exercises such as tracking moods, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and trying new coping behaviors between meetings.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to make space for the client’s perspective and Motivational Interviewing to clarify goals and increase readiness for change. Client-Centered work focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to the person, while Motivational Interviewing helps people set and commit to practical steps toward goals.
Finding the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try a few methods, and adjust based on what helps. That means sessions can shift from skill-based CBT tasks to a reflective Client-Centered conversation or goal-focused coaching when needed.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, shorten check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. The emphasis is on practical scheduling and on selecting methods that fit daily life and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
North Carolina, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with grief, anxiety, stress, relationship and family problems, parenting questions, trauma and abuse, anger, career transitions, and self-esteem issues.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and test practical behavior changes. Sessions include exercises and small experiments to try between meetings.
What is her clinical background?
She has 25 years of experience in clinical settings working with a range of issues including aging, oncology-related concerns, caregiver stress, and special needs planning.
What credentials does she hold and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in North Carolina and Virginia and practices from Virginia.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a 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 you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.