Maisa Shelmire , LCSW

Maisa Shelmire is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with nearly two decades of practice in behavioral health. She brings steady, straightforward care to people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. Her background includes work with trauma, anger, relationship concerns, parenting stress, and issues around intimacy and self-esteem.

Her experience spans psychotherapy, crisis intervention, clinical interviewing, and a range of psychological evaluations. Maisa has served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for over 24 years as a Behavioral Health Officer, which informs her calm approach to high-stress situations. She draws on clinical tools that help people manage mood disorders such as bipolar and depression and cope with ADHD and co-morbid conditions.

In sessions she uses clear, practical methods to address communication problems, family of origin issues, codependency, and attachment concerns. She helps people sort through feelings of abandonment, emptiness, and commitment worries, and supports parents facing blended family challenges and fatherhood issues. Her style focuses on building manageable steps and problem-solving skills.

Maisa works with clients across Louisiana and conducts therapy in English. Her status as an LCSW means she has a professional license to provide clinical social work services in Louisiana. She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and tailors treatment plans to each person's needs.

Starting therapy with Maisa involves a brief intake and collaborative planning. She aims to help people move toward clearer thinking, steadier moods, and better daily functioning through evidence-based techniques and practical coaching.

Evidence-based approaches and online care

Maisa commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thought patterns and try out new behaviors. CBT is practical and focused, and it often helps with anxiety, depression, stress, and coping skills.

She also uses motivational interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change and build momentum toward goals. This approach works well for shifting routines, addressing substance use, or increasing engagement with treatment.

Finding the right method is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose approaches that fit their goals, preferences, and daily life. Treatment plans are adjusted over time based on what is helpful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit busy schedules and different needs. Video calls are good for full conversations and visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and text can be used for brief updates, coaching between sessions, or when writing feels easier than speaking.

These options make it easier to keep consistent sessions, manage work and family demands, and access care across Louisiana with a licensed professional.