(she/they)
New to Grow
Hi, I’m Shannon. I am a licensed clinical social worker providing telehealth therapy to adults throughout the state of Oregon. My practice is deeply rooted in trauma-informed care, client autonomy, and compassion. I specialize in working with individuals navigating PTSD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), neurodivergence (including autism), as well as co-occurring anxiety and depression. When participating in therapy with me, you are the expert on your own life. I combine scientific knowledge with a humble acknowledgment that human experiences are vast and ever-evolving. My approach is client-centered and integrative. Instead of relying on temporary quick fixes, we will combine psychoeducation, practical skills, and deep self-exploration to foster sustainable growth aligned with your personal values and goals. When I’m not working, you can find me embracing either my nerdy side or crafty side (or both!), caring for my pets, or admiring tortoises—animals that remind me daily that patience, steadfastness, and moving slow is often the fastest way to truly get where we want to go.
Taking the step to start therapy takes incredible courage, especially if you’ve felt misunderstood in the past. My primary goal for our first session is to provide a safe, soft landing space where you are in control of how much you share. The first session will be different than an average session as we will need to cover some ethical and insurance requirements up front, specifically will include: -An introduction to me, therapy, and reviewing confidentiality (with opportunities to ask questions); -Discussion of what brings you to therapy at this time and an overview of your symptom history (only share what you feel ready to share); and -Collaborative goal setting based on your individual definition of progress and discussion regarding how therapy will look going forward.
When you choose a therapist, you aren’t just looking for someone with a degree—you’re looking for the right fit for you. Here are some of my strengths that might make me a good fit for what you are looking for: A Safe Space for Complexity: I specialize in the deeply nuanced areas of PTSD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), and neurodivergence (including autism), including frequent co-occurring mental health challenges. I understand that your mind and your experiences are beautifully complex, and I don't use cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approaches. No-Masks-Required Acceptance: My promise to you is simple: I am here for you exactly as you are. In our sessions, you don’t have to hide, mask, or perform. You are completely accepted, and you are always in the driver's seat of your own healing. A Balance of Science and Humility: I ground my practice in evidence-based scientific knowledge, but I also possess the humility to know that textbook definitions don't capture the full depth of human experience. I stay curious, open-minded, and ready to learn from your unique lived experience. • Real Human Connection: I am a real person, not a rigid clinical blank slate. I bring warmth, understanding, and my own authentic, nerdy self to our sessions. You can trust that you are talking to someone who is grounded, accessible, and walking alongside you. Consent and transparency: I am transparent about the theories I use, why we are doing a specific exercise, and how the therapeutic process works. There are no hidden agendas here—we are a team, and you will always be fully informed and in control of your journey. You will always be free to ask questions or provide feedback on any aspect of your therapy.
If you are navigating the world feeling like you’ve been functioning without the "operation manual" everyone else seems to have or at times you’ve felt like an alien in a human costume, you are in the right place. My practice is dedicated to adults living with complex trauma whose wounds or past experiences don't fit into a neat little box. You may experience hypervigilance, emotional flashbacks, or a persistent feeling of being unsafe in your own body. Perhaps you struggle with feelings of worthlessness despite evidence to the contrary, find yourself acting against your own values in times of stress, or navigate chronic symptoms of anxiety and depression. I am here to help you understand why and how these challenges are affecting your daily life. My goal is to help you self-identify your own goals and work alongside you to reach them. Within that practice, I also support adults that are curious about the role of neurodivergence and its potential overlap with complex trauma. If you are seeking help in exploring and managing possible undiagnosed autism or identify as an autistic person, we would be a great fit for therapy, especially including those of us assigned female at birth that have learned to mask before we may even remember. If you have tried standard therapeutic approaches in the past that left you feeling blamed, dismissed, or like you just weren’t trying hard enough, please know that your experience is valid. I would be honored to support you as you try therapy again, and I have walked alongside many clients in similar circumstances.
Other specialties
I identify as
Eclectic
I use a client-centered approach, meaning that I adapt to the individual needs of each client and their needs/wants utilizing a variety of therapeutic practices. The backbone of my practice is always creating a safe and transparent practice where you feel welcomed, respected, supported, and heard. Goals for therapy and the process of therapy itself is crafted collaboratively over the first several sessions and can be adjusted as much and as often as needed.
Trauma Informed Care
Most people have been affected by trauma, even if indirectly, so I prioritize creating an environment of safety, predictability, and transparency to help make therapy accessible to everyone.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Once a client has established basic safety in their therapy work, they can elect to utilize parts work therapy with me (as called IFS or internal family systems). This is an optional modality that I discuss and explain thoroughly to clients at their request.
Psychoeducation
I utilize an understanding of human development and neurobiology to help educate and potentially connect past experiences to current patterns, thoughts, and behaviors. The goal of this is to better understand ourselves as we are and to be better equipped to make changes if desired.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Based on client need and desire, I will utilize DBT resources to supplement and support the therapy process by providing concrete, practical skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.