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LCSW

Dr. Freda Shipman, LCSW

  • Experience25 years
  • LocationVirginia
  • Focus areasGrief, Self esteem, and Career
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Freda

Dr. Freda Shipman brings 25 years of clinical social work experience to her practice, combining a compassionate, collaborative stance with practical therapeutic tools.

Background and approach

She adopts Internal Family Systems alongside client-centered and cognitive behavioral approaches to help clients clarify values, manage stress and anxiety, and address relationship and family challenges. As an LCSW licensed in North Carolina and Virginia, she focuses on strengthening resilience and identifying personal strengths during life transitions.

Her work spans a wide range of concerns including grief, career changes, parenting and family problems, trauma and abuse recovery, and end-of-life planning. Dr.

Shipman also addresses issues related to aging and geriatric care, caregiver stress, cancer and hospice counseling, intellectual disability, and financial or vocational stresses. She blends motivational interviewing and solution-focused techniques with a respectful, nonjudgmental presence to help clients set realistic goals and build practical strategies.

Clients can expect sessions that honor each person’s experience while moving toward meaningful change. Dr.

Shipman describes her role as a guide and collaborator, offering tailored interventions that reflect each client’s needs and preferences.

Integrating Approaches for Online Healing

Dr. Shipman uses Internal Family Systems to help people understand and relate to the different parts of themselves, fostering internal cooperation and easing internal conflict. Client-centered therapy underpins her sessions by prioritizing the client's perspective, offering empathy and respect to create a space where personal insight and growth can emerge. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also part of her toolbox, offering practical strategies to identify unhelpful thoughts and develop coping skills for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is presented as a collaborative process. She works together with clients to explore which methods fit their goals, values, and comfort level, adjusting techniques as therapy progresses to better meet individual needs.

Online therapy with Dr. Shipman is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexible ways to engage in treatment across varied schedules. These options make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care during life transitions, balance therapy with work or caregiving responsibilities, and access support from home or other convenient settings.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dr. Shipman address?
She works with a broad range of issues including grief, anxiety, stress, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, career and life transitions, and anger management.
What therapeutic styles does she use?
Her approach blends Internal Family Systems with client-centered care and cognitive behavioral techniques, plus motivational interviewing and solution-focused methods to tailor treatment to each client's needs.
How long has she been practicing clinically?
Dr. Shipman has 25 years of experience working in clinical settings and brings that depth of practice to her therapeutic work.
Where is Dr. Shipman licensed to practice?
She holds licensure as an LCSW with the NC LCSW number C000765 and the VA LCSW number 0904017153 and is based in Virginia.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
Clients may connect through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their preference and scheduling options.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with Dr. Shipman?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling sessions according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

GriefSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger management

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessHospice and end-of-life counselingIntellectual disabilityLife purposeVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesSelf-loveVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

North Carolina, Virginia

Languages

English