We are Here for You
We are Here for You
We are Here for You
Compassionate Counseling to
Support Your Journey
We are Here for You
Compassionate Counseling to
Support Your Journey
Begin your journey with the compassionate and impactful expert counseling right here in New Orleans.
Open today | 09:00 am – 06:30 pm |

In Person Sessions
Night Sessions
Weekend Sessions
Telehealth Sessions
Experience the compassionate counseling you need from the comfort of your home.
Skip the drive...we will meet you online. At our New Orleans counseling practice, our mission is to provide compassionate and professional support to individuals in need. We aim to foster mental wellness and personal growth through effective mental health therapy services.
Shannon Blestel

You deserve to feel better—and you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you're struggling with trauma, anxiety, addiction, or the many stressors life can bring, healing is possible—with support, consistency, and compassion. I’m here to walk alongside you as you work toward your mental health therapy goals. Over the years, I’ve worked with many people who have felt lost in the cycle of starting over with new therapists, still searching for relief from nightmares, flashbacks, overwhelming emotions, or unhealthy patterns.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with several years of experience in community mental health and legal aid, I focus on providing compassionate counseling. If you're looking for a confidential, nonjudgmental space where you can be your full, authentic self, you’re in the right place. Nothing you bring will scare or surprise me—just come as you are.
I specialize in trauma and substance use treatment, utilizing evidence-based approaches including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), and MI (Motivational Interviewing) to guide the process.
A little about me: I’m originally from Virginia and moved to New Orleans over a decade ago for school. I fell in love with the city—and my husband, a U.S. Army veteran—and now we’re raising our two children here. I’m a proud graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and New Orleans Baptist Seminary.
If you're ready to start your journey toward healing through New Orleans counseling, I’d be honored to support you.

Life can be hard sometimes, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you are seeking validation, a sounding board, or effective strategies to tackle specific issues, my goal is to make mental health therapy as beneficial for you as possible.
My approach to compassionate counseling is direct, supportive, and centered on achieving tangible change. Together, we will confront challenges head-on, build your inner strength, and create a path forward that feels authentic to you.
Since earning my M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of New Orleans in 2020, I’ve dedicated the last five years to serving a diverse population of men and women from various backgrounds and identities.
My specialties include helping individuals with depression, anxiety, relationship conflict, trauma, and substance use. Regardless of what brings you to therapy, I provide a modern, empathetic space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
My aim is to make New Orleans counseling feel accessible, relevant, and genuinely helpful. We’ll work on practical coping skills, delve into underlying patterns, and cultivate greater self-compassion and inner peace. This is your journey, and I'm here to walk alongside you.
- Graduated from University of New Orleans Graduate School [Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling].
- Licensed Professional Counselor
- National Certified Counselor

Hi, I’m Dawne, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in New Orleans, bringing 12 years of experience in the mental health therapy field — along with a genuine love for people, purpose, and progress.
I specialize in compassionate counseling for teens, young adults, and anyone navigating life transitions, stress, anxiety, or feeling stuck. My approach integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), strengths-based support, and Functional Family Therapy (FFT). I believe that prioritizing your mental health starts with taking care of yourself — whether that’s through self-care, movement, or rediscovering joy in life’s simple moments.
For the past eight years, I have assisted families and children in understanding autism, developmental delays, speech concerns, and more. This experience has deepened my appreciation for how compassionate listening can truly make a difference.
I bring a youthful, down-to-earth energy into our sessions. My clients often express that they feel comfortable being themselves with me, knowing they can discuss anything in a safe, confidential space.
If you’re searching for a therapist in New Orleans who is real, relatable, and ready to help you take things one day at a time, I’m here for you. Let’s collaborate on your healing, growth, and achieving goals that resonate with you.

Your freedom! That is why I do what I do! I believe we are meant to live lives full of joy, free from depression, fear, addictions, and the factors that can turn potentially good relationships into bad ones. My life has been dedicated to this vision for all people. I am continually humbled by the privilege of being part of the healing and freedom in people's lives through compassionate counseling.
I encourage you not to wait. Get the life you have always wanted and deserve. I believe relationships are meant to enrich our lives. Parents can be mentors and a great resource for their children, guiding them through difficult times. It's all about the relationship.
All of us (including me) need another's point of view and some guidance from time to time. It is the wise person who knows when it's time to reach out. There is no need to struggle alone. We all need a safe place to talk about what's happening in our lives. Reach out and give me a call for mental health therapy! You can ask any questions you have. You have nothing to lose.
- Practicing 34 Years
- Graduated from Tulane University Graduate School of Social Work [Master of Social Work], Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
- Certificate: Love and Logic institute for Parent Trainers
- Certificate: Imago Relationship Therapy
- Marriage.com: Best Marriage Therapists in Slidell, New Orleans counseling https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/120185

Hey there! I’m Erika and I believe therapy is a space where you can take a breath, feel supported, and begin letting go of the things that no longer serve you—especially shame.
I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Xavier University of Louisiana. With 14 years of experience in the mental health field, my work is guided by a lifelong sense of empathy, care, and curiosity about people and their stories. My approach is warm, collaborative, and client-centered. I integrate evidence-based therapies including as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and a Gestalt framework to help you better understand yourself, your patterns, and what’s coming up for you in the present moment. A central focus of my work is helping clients release shame—especially the kind that keeps people stuck, silent, or disconnected from themselves. Many clients come to therapy carrying guilt, self-blame, or the belief that something is “wrong” with them. I strive to create a safe, affirming space where these experiences can be explored with honesty and compassion, and where healing can begin through understanding rather than judgment. Many clients come in feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves. My goal is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can feel seen, heard, and empowered to reconnect with your strengths.
I am honored to walk with you on your path to healing, growth, and greater self-acceptance.

Taking the First Step Toward Change
By seeking support, you are already taking the most important step. My commitment is to provide compassionate counseling in a safe, understanding space where you can feel seen, heard, and supported as you work toward healing and growth.
My professional journey—from a foundation in Social Work to a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling—began in 2014 and has prepared me to support you across diverse life circumstances, challenges, and stages.
Our Collaborative Approach
You are the expert on your own story. I approach our work using a Constructivist lens, meaning I believe your unique experiences shape your view of the world. My role is to walk beside you, collaborating on your journey of empowerment through mental health therapy.
I am here to help you:
• Discover Your Strengths: We will shine a light on the skills and resources you already possess.
• Build Solutions: We will focus forward, co-creating practical steps toward the life you want.
• Re-Author Your Story: We will challenge old, limiting narratives to construct a new, hopeful story rich with possibilities.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, relationships, life transitions, or simply seeking a space for deeper self-understanding, I’m here to help you feel grounded, capable, and hopeful about what’s ahead. If you're in New Orleans, I invite you to explore how my counseling services can guide you.

I believe healing happens through safe, supportive connection. If you are reading this, you may be feeling disconnected from a partner, friends, community, or even yourself. If you feel lost or out of place in your own life or body, you are not alone, and you do not have to carry it by yourself. Reaching out for counseling can feel vulnerable and even scary, but it can also be a meaningful first step toward feeling more grounded, understood, and empowered.
Our work together is built on trust, respect, and compassion. I want you to feel fully seen and heard with dignity and kindness. It is an honor to walk alongside you.
My primary approach makes room for life’s big questions and transitions, such as love, grief, aging, purpose, anxiety, addiction, and the changes that can shake your sense of self. You set the pace and the goals, and we will work together to find meaning, build insight, and move toward more joy and connection. I offer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy and practical and creative tools you can use outside of session. My background includes work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, addiction and rehabilitation, grief, military families, relationship concerns, incarceration and reentry, parenting and caregiving, mental health challenges, and gender and sexual identity exploration.
I have learned firsthand that support and connection can change everything, and my hope is that you experience this too.

Welcome! While I understand that seeking mental health therapy often comes during challenging times, I am truly glad to be here to provide compassionate counseling and support you. With over five years of experience, my passion lies in empowering individuals to navigate their unique journeys. I believe in the transformative power of therapy, whether through one-on-one sessions, group therapy, or specialized approaches like anxiety management, behavioral modification, and career counseling.
I hold a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Social Work, and I strive to create a warm and nurturing environment where clients can explore their feelings and experiences. My approach is collaborative and client-centered, focusing on building trust and understanding to help you reclaim your strength and resilience.
I find joy in working with a diverse range of clients, and I’m especially passionate about helping those with severe mental illnesses, veterans, and youth as they develop self-awareness and confidence. I also incorporate mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing and mindful meditation, to promote relaxation and emotional well-being. Additionally, I offer life coaching to support you in setting and achieving your personal and professional goals.
When I’m not in the office, you might find me traveling with my children, shopping, cooking, or taking care of my plants, which brings me joy and balance. I truly look forward to the opportunity to walk alongside you on your journey toward empowerment, wellness, and growth through New Orleans counseling.
Let’s take this journey together!

Your healing and growth — that’s why I do what I do. I believe every person deserves the chance to live free: free from trauma, anxiety, fear, broken relationships, and the pain of the past. As a provisionally licensed counselor, Air Force veteran, and woman of faith, I bring both clinical training and real-life experience to the work of providing compassionate counseling that helps others find that freedom. It’s my honor to walk alongside people as they rebuild trust in themselves, their relationships, and their future.
My approach integrates evidence-based therapy—like CBT, DBT, ACT, and psychodynamic theory—with a deep respect for your spiritual journey. Whether you’re struggling with identity, grief, addiction, or feeling lost in a season of transition, you don’t have to carry it alone. Mental health therapy can be a safe space to ask hard questions, reconnect with your values, and rediscover your strength.
You are not alone. We all need support, perspective, and encouragement. When you’re ready, I’m here—ready to listen, ready to walk with you, and ready to help you move forward with hope through New Orleans counseling.
909 South Broad Street, New Orleans, LA
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