LAWANDA’s BIO

Lawanda Hanes -LPC-A

Licensed Professional Counselor (Associate)

Background: LaWanda truly is the product of a diverse collection of locations, cultures, and experiences, having grown up as the daughter of a US serviceman. As she has gathered life experiences in her various roles as a daughter, sister, wife and mother, she’s learned that leveraging her god-given strengths and abilities, circumstances, and relationships is key to fulfillment, impact and success. Knowing first-hand the difficulty caused by not fully knowing and embracing who you are and how you were created to think, feel, and choose, LaWanda is passionate about helping each individual develop a healthy self concept while healing the wounds of their past, eliminating self-limiting beliefs, and activating their strengths and passions to live with more joy and fulfillment.

Professional experience: LaWanda has a corporate background in which she served as a human resource specialist, providing career guidance and support for consulting executives. Preferring the part of her work responsibilities associated with career counseling and personal and professional development, LaWanda left corporate America to pursue a career as a licensed professional counselor.

Initially serving as a domestic violence counseling intern with a local Dallas area women’s shelter, LaWanda practices trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy. She has worked with women and men ranging from emerging adulthood (late teens-early 20’s) through late adulthood. She has also facilitated psychoeducational support groups for victims of domestic violence. LaWanda is both educated and skilled in biblical counseling, having experience as a counseling intern with Mission Arlington, and as an LPC-A with the Oakcliff Bible Fellowship Counseling Center.

LaWanda specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, self esteem and self concept, couples counseling, and trauma informed care. She has a strong ability to help others feel comfortable and safe in her presence. She is compassionate, empathetic, and energetic, and allows individuals to feel heard and accepted. LaWanda is passionate about helping every individual heal from the hurts of their past, become the person they are destined to be and maximize their full potential.

Education: LaWanda holds a M.A. in Professional Counseling from Dallas Baptist University, and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPC-A) license with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council under the supervision of Dr. Jada Jackson, LPC-S. As a counselor, LaWanda leverages Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Positive Psychology to help clients identify and reframe the limiting beliefs, distortions, and mindsets shaped by life’s experiences to achieve healing, restoration, and transformation.

Her focus areas are:

Women’s Issues Low Self-Esteem

Couples Therapy (Traditional) Anxiety

Depression Codependency