Shannon feels that the relationship that she has with a client is the most important aspect of counseling. With a safe and trusting environment, Shannon and her clients can collaboratively work through their specific needs together. She believes that clients should feel as though they have power in counseling, in their decision-making and in their lives. Shannon believes open and honest communication about ones' difficulties and the counseling process is key to success. Shannon hopes to create a brave space where clients can be vulnerable, try new things and speak openly in a position where they feel accepted rather than judged. Counseling can be uncomfortable, and it can also be fun and rewarding. Shannon finds it important to bring humor to counseling in addition to the hard work that occurs at each session.

While Shannon uses different approaches and techniques with each client; a strengths-based approach is central to her work. Everyone seeking treatment does so with strengths that continue to bring success throughout the journey. The first of these strengths is making an appointment and seeking the change for which they are ready. These strengths are often the driving force behind successes in treatment, help to build courage and tap into other strengths and assets.

Shannon has experience with and enjoys working with a range of clients both in terms of ages and reasons for seeking treatment. Shannon finds the counseling process an adventure and this is true for children, adolescents and adults of all ages. Forming a relationship and becoming a piece of someone’s life is an honor and Shannon strives to work just as hard as her clients throughout this process.

Shannon uses an eclectic orientation including aspects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused, Mindfulness, Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based, Person-Centered, Expressive Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and others. This is important to Shannon because each individual is different, and Shannon does not believe that one orientation can encompass the entirety of a person. What works for one person will not work equally for another. Clients are willing to be open and flexible with Shannon, and Shannon owes the same to them.

Shannon graduated from Adler University with a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a CACREP accredited program. She also received domestic violence training through the Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Prevention Board. She has experience working in a variety of settings including Inpatient, Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and forensic locations. She has experience with group therapy, individual therapy and family therapy.