Shannon Nahara
I’m a warm, compassionate, and curious therapist who believes that meaningful change begins with feeling understood, accepted, and supported. I bring over 10 years of experience working with adults, along with a background in counseling psychology, art therapy, and visual arts.
My approach is collaborative and thoughtful, drawing on mindfulness, depth psychology, creativity, and an appreciation for the role that spirituality and personal meaning can play in our lives.
My approach is collaborative and thoughtful, drawing on mindfulness, depth psychology, creativity, and an appreciation for the role that spirituality and personal meaning can play in our lives. I enjoy helping people navigate life transitions, better understand themselves and their relationships, work through longstanding patterns, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and possibility. I believe therapy can be a place to slow down, explore honestly, and discover new ways forward.
First session
In our first session, my goal is to understand your main concerns, what has been difficult, and what you would most like to change or work toward. We'll begin identifying realistic, achievable short-term and longer-term goals that give our work direction and purpose. I also like to ask people to imagine looking back on their time in therapy someday: What would have made the experience meaningful? What would you hope had changed, what would you have gained, or what would you consider most helpful? Your answers help us identify what matters most to you and begin shaping our work together around those priorities.
Strengths
I bring a down-to-earth, approachable style to therapy. I’m not a stuffy or overly formal therapist, and I want people to feel comfortable being themselves, without worrying about saying the right thing or having everything figured out. My background in counseling psychology, art therapy, and the visual arts, along with my own life experiences, has given me an appreciation for the many ways people grow, change, and make sense of their lives. I'm a thoughtful listener, but I also bring curiosity, insight, and a willingness to gently challenge familiar ways of thinking when it can open up new possibilities. I value honesty, humor, creativity, and genuine human connection, and I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can explore things at your own pace while also discovering new ways forward.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are adults who are generally functioning in their daily lives but may feel stuck, disconnected, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their direction. They may be navigating significant life transitions, relationship challenges, grief, stress, or questions about identity, meaning, and purpose. I'm particularly interested in working with people who want to better understand themselves, explore longstanding patterns, reconnect with their core values, and make choices that feel more aligned with who they are and how they want to live. I welcome LGBTQ+ individuals and neurodivergent adults, and value creating an affirming, inclusive environment that respects different ways of thinking, experiencing, and navigating the world. I value working with people who are from cultures different from my own.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work together will be guided by the goals and priorities we identify, while allowing room for things that naturally come up along the way. We'll check in on how things are going, explore challenges and patterns, and look for new ways of understanding yourself and responding to situations in your life. Depending on your needs and interests, our work may incorporate mindfulness and self-regulation tools, creative and art therapy interventions, practical strategies, and psychoeducation to help you better understand yourself and what you're experiencing. I'll offer questions, observations, and feedback along the way, and we'll make adjustments as you grow and your needs change. My hope is that you'll develop greater self-understanding, feel more confident in navigating life's challenges, and gain practical tools and new perspectives that support meaningful changes in your everyday life.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
I help you recognize and build on your existing strengths, resources, and abilities. Together, we'll explore what's already working in your life and how you can draw on those qualities to navigate challenges and create meaningful change.
Integrative
I draw from different therapeutic approaches and tailor our work to your individual needs, concerns, and goals. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we'll find what feels most helpful and meaningful to you.
Compassion-Focused
I help you develop a kinder, more understanding relationship with yourself. Together, we'll explore ways to soften self-criticism, work through difficult emotions, and approach yourself with greater patience and compassion, especially during challenging times.
Interpersonal
We'll explore how your relationships and interactions with others affect your well-being. Together, we'll work on communication, navigating relationship challenges, understanding patterns, and building healthier, more fulfilling connections.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I'll introduce mindfulness practices to help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the present moment. Together, we'll explore ways to manage stress, feel more grounded, and respond to life's challenges with greater awareness and ease.
Location
Virtual sessions