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Shawn Pedani, LISW-S, LISW - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Shawn Pedani, LISW-S

Shawn Pedani, LISW-S

(he/him)

LISW
20 years of experience
Virtual

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

Identifies as

Licensed in

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Acceptance and commitment (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a bit different from CBT, but it’s still about helping you live a better, more meaningful life when you’re dealing with anxiety or depression. Think of it like learning to handle tough thoughts and feelings without letting them control your life. Here’s how it works: Accept Your Thoughts and Feelings: Instead of fighting or trying to get rid of uncomfortable feelings like sadness or worry, ACT teaches you to notice and accept them. It’s like saying, “Okay, this feeling is here, but it doesn’t have to stop me from doing what matters.” Separate Yourself From Your Thoughts: We all have negative thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do this.” In ACT, we learn that thoughts are just words or ideas, not facts. You’ll practice seeing your thoughts as something separate from you—kind of like watching clouds float by instead of getting stuck in a storm. Focus on What Matters: ACT helps you figure out what’s really important to you—your values, like being a good friend, having fun, or helping others. Even when life feels hard, you can take steps toward what matters most. Take Action, Even If It’s Hard: Anxiety and depression often make us avoid things, but ACT encourages you to take small, meaningful actions—even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s like saying, “This is tough, but I’ll do it anyway because it matters to me.” Be Present: ACT also teaches mindfulness, which means paying attention to what’s happening right now instead of worrying about the past or future. It helps you stay grounded and focused on what you can do in the moment. ACT is about making space for the tough stuff while still moving forward with your life. It’s not about “fixing” your thoughts or feelings but learning to live alongside them in a way that helps you feel more free and connected to what really matters to you.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is like training your brain to think and act in healthier ways. When you're dealing with anxiety or depression, it’s common to have negative thoughts, feelings, and habits that make things worse. CBT helps you figure out these patterns and change them so you can feel better. I use an updated version of CBT called Unified Protocol (UP) which helps my clients who often have an aversive reaction to intense an uncomfortable emotions. Here’s how it works: Understand Your Thoughts: We’ll talk about what’s going on in your mind. For example, if you’re anxious, you might often think, “What if something bad happens?” If you’re feeling down, it might be thoughts like, “I’m not good enough.” Together, we’ll figure out where those thoughts come from and why they feel so real. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Once we know those unhelpful thoughts, we’ll work on questioning them. Is that thought really true? Is there another way to look at it? This helps you start thinking in ways that are more realistic and kind to yourself. Practice New Actions: Sometimes, our behaviors can keep us stuck. For example, avoiding situations because of anxiety or staying in bed all day when feeling down. CBT/ UP helps you take small steps to face fears, build confidence, and do things that make you feel proud and happy. Learn Skills for the Future: CBT/UP gives you tools to handle tough times. You’ll learn how to notice when those old patterns creep back and what to do to stop them before they take over. It’s a team effort. I’ll guide you, but you’ll be the one doing the work to make changes. Think of it like building mental muscles—you get stronger and more in control over time. It’s not about ignoring problems; it’s about facing them with tools that help you feel more calm, confident, and capable.

Attachment-based

An attachment-based approach is about understanding how your early experiences with important people in your life—like parents, caregivers, or other loved ones—affect the way you connect with others now. Whether you’re working on yourself or your relationship as a couple, this approach focuses on building stronger, healthier bonds. Here’s how it works: For Individuals: Understand Your Attachment Style: Everyone has a unique way of relating to others, based on past experiences. Maybe you feel anxious when people pull away, or you avoid getting too close because it feels risky. We’ll explore how your past shaped these patterns. Recognize Emotional Needs: Sometimes, people struggle to ask for what they need in relationships. This approach helps you identify and express those needs in a way that feels safe and honest. Heal Old Wounds: If you’ve been hurt or let down in the past, those experiences can leave emotional scars. Together, we’ll work on understanding and healing those wounds so they don’t keep affecting your current relationships. Build Self-Compassion: Feeling secure in relationships starts with feeling good about yourself. We’ll practice ways to build confidence and trust in your own worth. For Couples: Understand Your Patterns: Couples often get stuck in cycles where one person pulls away, and the other chases, or both shut down. We’ll figure out what’s happening in these moments and why. Share Vulnerabilities: This approach encourages both partners to open up about their deeper feelings and fears, like being afraid of rejection or not feeling valued. Sharing this helps you connect on a deeper level. Create a Safe Space: Relationships feel strongest when both people feel seen, heard, and supported. We’ll work on creating a safe and secure bond where you can rely on each other. Repair and Rebuild: If there’s been hurt, conflict, or distance in the relationship, we’ll focus on repairing those moments and building trust so you can move forward together. Whether for yourself or your relationship, this approach is about creating connections that feel secure, supportive, and loving. It’s like strengthening the foundation of a house—when the base is strong, everything built on it feels more stable and safe.