Jerrelda Sanders

I'm Dr. Jerrelda Sanders — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Doctor of Behavioral Health based in Louisiana. For over 10 years, I've worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families — especially people in communities that have historically been underserved by mental health systems. As a Black woman therapist, I understand what it means to walk into a room and wonder if the person across from you truly sees you. In my practice, you don't have to explain your culture before you can start healing. I've been recognized for my work supporting mental health in underserved communities, and that commitment shapes everything about how I practice.

My approach is trauma-informed at its core. I draw on Trauma-Focused CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Strength-Based frameworks to meet you where you are — not where I think you should be. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all model. If you're working through PTSD or complex trauma, we'll use structured, evidence-based techniques. If you're processing grief or a life transition, we might move more slowly and reflectively. I also bring a strong understanding of ADHD as it presents in adults and youth — including how it intersects with anxiety, relationships, and self-worth. Sessions are collaborative: you set the pace, and I provide the tools and the steady presence to walk with you.

Expect a conversation — not a questionnaire read off a clipboard. In our first session, I'll want to understand what's brought you here right now, what your life looks like, and what you're hoping things could look like instead. I'll ask questions, and you should feel free to ask me things too. We'll talk about what's worked before (if anything), what hasn't, and what feels most urgent. There's no homework on day one. My goal for the first session is simple: that you leave feeling heard, not evaluated, and like this might actually be something worth continuing. Sessions are available via telehealth across Louisiana, and I work with Aetna and Cigna — so we'll also make sure the logistics are easy before we start.