Shad St. Paul , LICSW

Shad St. Paul is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) practicing in Washington. He offers a welcoming, supportive presence where people can explore difficult feelings and experiences without judgment. Shad emphasizes a collaborative, strengths-based approach that honors each person’s values and cultural background while helping them build practical skills for change.

With training in both general mental health and substance use treatment, he works with individuals facing anxiety, life transitions, addiction, and other challenges to overall well-being. He combines evidence-informed methods with a holistic perspective, tailoring therapy to each person’s goals and circumstances. The LICSW credential indicates advanced clinical social work licensure for independent practice, and the SUDP designation reflects focused training in substance use disorder care.

In sessions he aims to build a steady, respectful partnership that supports healing, growth, and renewed purpose. Shad frames therapy as a process of discovery and empowerment, offering guidance and practical strategies while encouraging clients to draw on their strengths. He sees it as an honor to accompany people through change and to help them move toward greater resilience and fulfillment.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shad uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, empathetic space where people’s perspectives guide the work; this approach helps when someone needs support processing emotions, clarifying values, or finding personal meaning. He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for depression, anxiety, and many everyday challenges. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another tool he draws on to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relationship skills when intense emotions or interpersonal difficulties are present.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shad works together with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan over time so therapy remains useful and relevant.

Online therapy with Shad can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to access care from home, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of support while working toward practical, real-world goals with a licensed professional.