Hi, I’m Shawn Pedani, a licensed therapist with nearly 20 years of experience helping teens and adults work through anxiety, ADHD, and mood struggles like depression. Many of my clients feel stuck in cycles of overthinking, perfectionism, or worst-case-scenario thinking. Others feel overwhelmed by their emotions—either avoiding them, pushing them down, or feeling completely hijacked by them. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and things can get better. In addition to anxiety and ADHD, I work with people struggling with low self-confidence, people-pleasing, grief, and depression. If you feel trapped by self-doubt, constantly trying to meet impossible expectations, or struggling to move forward after a loss, I can help. Together, we’ll get to the root of these patterns and build real, practical strategies to set boundaries, grow your confidence, and live in alignment with what matters to you. Whether it’s school, work, or relationships, these struggles don’t have to run your life. Learning how to navigate emotions—rather than avoiding or battling them—can make a real difference. With the right tools, it’s possible to break out of old patterns, build confidence, and handle stress in a way that feels more manageable. Therapy isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about helping you show up in your life in a way that feels right for you.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, and if you’re feeling nervous or unsure about what to expect, that’s completely normal. My goal in our first session isn’t to overwhelm you with a bunch of clinical questions or make you feel like you have to explain everything all at once. Instead, I take the time to really understand you—not just the symptoms or struggles you’re dealing with, but you as a person. Your experiences, emotions, and the way you see the world matter, and therapy should be a space where you feel understood, not just treated. From the very beginning, I focus on building a strong, genuine connection with you. Therapy isn’t just about techniques or strategies, it’s about the relationship. If you don’t feel safe, supported, or understood, all the tools in the world won’t be helpful. That’s why, in our first session, I make sure to truly listen. I want to know what’s bringing you in, what’s been hard, and what you need from me. But just as importantly, I want to know who you are. What matters to you? What’s been shaping the way you see yourself and the world? Where do you feel stuck? This session isn’t about rushing to a diagnosis or a treatment plan. It’s about making sure you feel heard, and that we’re on the same page about what you need and how I can help. Whether you come in with a clear idea of what you want to work on, or you just know something doesn't feel right- that’s okay. There’s no pressure to have all the answers, figuring things out together is part of the process. Many of my clients worry about saying the “right” thing in therapy or wonder if their problems are “big enough” to be here. Let me be clear: if something is affecting you, it’s worth talking about. There’s no need to filter yourself or pretend things are fine if they aren’t. And if you don’t know where to start, that’s okay too, I’ll help guide the conversation so you don’t have to carry the pressure of figuring it all out alone. You also don’t need to have a big, dramatic story or a long list of issues to bring in. Some people come to therapy because they feel overwhelmed and anxious every day. Others feel stuck in patterns they can’t break, or they just know something feels *off* but can’t quite explain it. However you show up, my job is to meet you where you are and help you make sense of things in a way that feels doable. One thing I hear a lot from people who’ve tried therapy before is that they didn’t know what to expect from session to session

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is helping clients uncover the root causes of their anxiety and developing a personalized plan to create real, lasting change. Anxiety can feel like a tangle of overwhelming thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. However, beneath the surface, there’s often a clear story—one that explains why it developed and what keeps it going. Together, we work to uncover that story so you can break free from the patterns that hold you back. Many people come to therapy feeling stuck and unsure why they’re struggling. Anxiety can show up as constant overthinking, intrusive thoughts, tension, or a sense of losing control. These symptoms often come from deeper, interconnected patterns shaped by your experiences, beliefs, and relationships. My strength lies in guiding you to identify and understand these underlying triggers. We’ll explore how factors like perfectionism, fear of failure, people-pleasing, or past relationship dynamics might be fueling your anxiety. By connecting the dots between these patterns and your current struggles, you’ll gain clarity and self-awareness. This understanding helps us address the root of the problem—not just the symptoms. I also focus on creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and supported. I use evidence-based techniques like the Unified Protocol (UP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you learn how to navigate difficult thoughts and feelings while taking meaningful steps toward what matters most to you. My goal is to empower you to feel more confident, balanced, and in control of your life. If you’re ready to move beyond just managing anxiety and start making meaningful progress, I’m here to help you take that next step.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I work best with teens and adults who feel stuck in cycles of anxiety, overthinking, and self-doubt. Many of my clients are the ones others rely on—they seem capable and put together, but inside, they feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or like they’re never doing enough. Some struggle with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or constantly second-guessing themselves. Others are weighed down by expectations—either from others or themselves—and feel paralyzed trying to make the “right” decisions. I specialize in treating anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety, OCD, and panic attacks. I also help people navigating ADHD and its impact on their ability to focus, stay organized, and feel confident in school, work, or relationships. Many of my clients wonder whether their struggles come from anxiety, ADHD, or both. They’ve spent years trying to manage on their own—pushing through exhaustion, forcing themselves into rigid routines, or masking their struggles—only to feel more frustrated when things don’t get easier. Beyond anxiety and ADHD, I work with people dealing with low self-esteem, grief, and depression. Many of my clients feel drained by the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations, unsure of how to set boundaries, or stuck in patterns that leave them feeling empty. Some avoid their emotions by staying busy or constantly helping others. Others feel consumed by them, unsure how to move forward without getting overwhelmed. The people I work with don’t need therapy to be a place where they just talk in circles. They want real, practical tools to manage emotions, break out of old patterns, and feel more in control of their lives. Therapy isn’t about changing *who* you are—it’s about learning how to work with your emotions instead of feeling trapped by them.

About Shawn Pedani, LISW-S