Shay Bankston , LISW

Shay Bankston is a licensed Ohio therapist with 20 years of clinical experience who supports people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions. She practices as an LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) and combines a person-centered stance with a trauma-informed perspective to help clients build practical coping strategies and emotional resilience.

Shay specializes in working with individuals dealing with social anxiety, isolation, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress, and addiction, and she brings particular sensitivity to the needs of first responders and members of LGBTQ communities. Her work also addresses relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, grief, career and control issues, and a range of anxiety-related conditions.

Her therapeutic style is collaborative and strengths-based, focused on walking alongside clients as they explore growth and healing. Using evidence-based practices, Shay helps people reconnect with inner strengths and develop sustainable tools for managing stress, processing trauma, and navigating life changes. She accepts new clients, including international clients, and offers flexible options to meet diverse needs.

Person-Centered and Trauma-Informed Care Online

Shay Bankston draws on person-centered methods that prioritize the client's goals and lived experience, creating space for individuals to explore feelings and make meaningful changes at their own pace. She also uses a trauma-informed approach that recognizes the effects of past trauma and emphasizes safety, pacing, and empowerment to support healing. In addition, she applies evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help clients develop practical coping skills for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shay collaborates with each person to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds to ensure a good fit.

Online therapy with Shay is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules, varied energy levels, and geographic distance. These options allow clients to access consistent support, maintain momentum between sessions, and engage in therapy from locations that work best for them.