Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Missouri City, TX covered by Cigna

I received both my Bachelors and Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. I have been in private practice for more than 10 years. Prior to private practice, my career began as an inpatient therapist on locked units at psychiatric facilities Cambridge Hospital (currently Sun Behavioral Hospital) and West Oaks Hospital. In addition to my inpatient work at West Oaks Hospital, I was a group facilitator with both adolescents and adults for the outpatient extension of the hospital: The Excel Center. My work at The Excel Center involved daily group therapy in both the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).

Because of my work with the acute psychiatric population in intensive treatment settings, I am able to work as a generalist practitioner. I work with most issue from depression, anxiety, and OCD to trauma, addiction and relationships struggles... just to name a few.

Life is a Journey. On this Journey we're faced with many twists & turns. My practice style is collaborative in nature. It focuses on joint commitment to change. Yet eclectic enough to incorporate different approaches that will help clients as they write and re-write their stories to transform their reality. Whether you are looking to address LGBTQ issues, individual therapy, family or couples therapy, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, addictions, depression or other mental health issues.

I am passionate about creating a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients. I am committed to helping my clients identify and navigate their feelings, learn healthier coping skills, and ultimately find hope and heal. I have worked with adults and adolescence with eating disorders, substance and behavioral addictions, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, co-dependency, trauma, anxiety, and depression.

Hello and welcome—I'm so glad you're here.

My name is Shanna Gardner, LPC-S, and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with over 20 years of experience in the mental health field. I'm deeply passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and discover a sense of peace, purpose, and emotional wellness.

I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel safe, heard, and truly understood. Whether you're dealing with overwhelming stress, navigating a tough life transition, or managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, I’m here to support you every step of the way.

You might not even be able to imagine happiness because you never learned how to dream. As a collaborative, strengths-based therapist, I can teach you to understand where that comes from, so you can grow into your identity(ies) and start dreaming of your future. This is called thriving.

You’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to make things work. You’ve read the books, tried different approaches, had the hard conversations, and stayed hopeful through the ups and downs. But despite your efforts, the same patterns keep surfacing. Maybe connection still feels out of reach, or the overwhelm continues to build. Therapy can offer space to pause, reflect, and grow with support that meets you where you are and helps you move toward the change you’re ready for.

I hold a PhD in Social Work with a specialization in Family Studies. I’m a therapist, researcher, and educator who works with individuals, couples, and families navigating relational stress, trauma, identity shifts, and emotional exhaustion. I specialize in helping people explore what’s beneath the surface and create new ways of relating with others and with themselves. I bring years of experience focused on attachment, trauma, and relational health through both clinical practice and academic research. This work is not just my profession. It is what I live, teach, and continue to study with intention and heart.