Hello! I'm Shannon, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) specialist in California. I am passionate about supporting people through their most challenging and vulnerable seasons of life, and for the past 6 years I've been doing exactly that by providing mental healthcare to patients and their families in the hospital setting. I work with adults of all ages who are experiencing a major life transition or role change. This includes helping new parents adjust to the many changes that come with parenthood and working with families who have experienced the loss of a child or a long term hospital stay. I have experience working with parents with perinatal mood disorders, who are dealing with grief, and who need help building their coping tool set. I also support adults and college-aged students who are struggling with career changes, life stressors, and interpersonal challenges. As I healthcare professional myself, I am also interested in supporting others in the healthcare/helping professions to reduce burnout and find purpose in your work.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
We begin with an intake phone call to determine if we are a good fit. In this call we'll get to know each other, discuss what you can expect future sessions with me to look like, and determine if my style of therapy is right for you. If we decide to move forward with treatment, our first session includes going over intake assessments and discussing your goals for therapy. From there we will come up with a plan that is tailored to you and your goals. This is a collaborative and fluid process. We will check in over time to make sure we're on the right track and you are feeling that you're getting the most out of your time with me.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
Having worked in the hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the past 6 years, I have a unique understanding of the emotional labor and turmoil involved in being a new parent, a NICU family, and a healthcare professional. I can provide a comforting and safe environment and will work hard to help you feel empowered throughout your therapy process.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with new parents, young adults, and professionals who are struggling with the transitions of life and are motivated to allow themselves the space to put themselves first for a short period of time each week. My clients are often overwhelmed or struggling with conflicting emotions and looking for support to sort through these thoughts.
About Shannon MacLaren
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT allows us to identify the ways that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. By doing this we will be able to find solutions to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors.
Interpersonal
While CBT allows us to look internally, Interpersonal and Relational or Family Systems Therapy allows us to look at how relational dynamics have impacted our lives.
Grief Therapy
Grief therapy focuses on processing your grief event and integrating coping skills to allow you to develop a fruitful life around your pain. This is a process that takes time and has many ups and downs but we will work together through the waves of grief to reach a place where you can find joy again.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma, whether recent or in the past, has a lasting impact on our worldview, emotional processing, physical body, and ability to cope. I find it important to acknowledge trauma history when working through what has brought you into therapy. We will work together to process this and heal.