- Grief and bereavement
- Family of origin issues
- Career and retirement
About Freda
Dr. Freda Shipman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing grief, anxiety, stress, relationship strain, parenting concerns, career and life changes, and family-related issues. She also addresses aging and geriatric matters, caregiver stress, cancer and end-of-life concerns, and financial and practical life problems.
Her work is straightforward and person-focused. Sessions tend to center on understanding how current problems connect to past family patterns and everyday routines. She uses clear, evidence-informed practices to help people manage symptoms and make decisions that fit their lives.
Dr. Shipman uses a mix of approaches including client-centered work, cognitive behavioral methods, motivational interviewing, solution-focused techniques, and Internal Family Systems ideas. That mix is often aimed at helping people change unhelpful thoughts, try new behaviors, and address old family-of-origin patterns that keep repeating.
She has long experience in clinical settings serving people with chronic illness, caregiving responsibilities, and life transitions such as retirement or career change. Over the years she has helped people dealing with bereavement, anger, and the stress that comes from juggling family and work roles.
Practical matters are part of the work. Sessions may cover communication strategies, planning around illness or aging, handling finances in stressful times, and setting small achievable goals. To begin, readers are encouraged to use the site’s matching tools to schedule an initial session and discuss current session options.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and helping the person set the pace. It supports exploration of feelings and personal goals and is useful when someone needs a steady, responsive space to talk through problems.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It uses structured exercises and practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and change patterns that come from early family roles.
Motivational Interviewing is a brief collaborative method that clarifies a person’s own reasons for change. It can be helpful for career decisions, behavior change, or committing to a new routine.
Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they select or combine methods and adjust them as needs evolve.
Practical benefits of online work make fitting therapy into everyday life easier. Online sessions can remove travel time, allow for a shorter check-in when schedules are tight, or enable meetings from a quiet room at work. Confirm the currently supported session formats before booking so arrangements match your needs.
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 related to family background?
She helps people notice and work through patterns that come from their family of origin, such as repeated roles, expectations, or communication styles.
What style of therapy does she use?
She blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques, motivational interviewing, solution-focused methods, and Internal Family Systems ideas.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience working in clinical settings with adults facing a range of life, health, and family challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Virginia and practices from that location.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
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 a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.