Ehsan A. Shabahang, LPC - Therapist at Grow Therapy

Ehsan A. Shabahang

Ehsan A. Shabahang

(he/him)

LPC
2 years of experience
Authentic
Empowering
Warm
Virtual

Are you feeling overwhelmed or struggling with your relationships? Does anxiety or stress seem impossible to shake off? Maybe you're at a crossroads with your career or finding it hard to connect with yourself. Or perhaps you've experienced trauma that you cannot navigate alone; you're not alone, and there is help available. I'm Ehsan Shabahang, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) dedicated to helping you overcome life's challenges. Having worked with over 4,000 clients, including individuals, families, couples, students, groups, children, and non-profit organizations, I understand that life can be unpredictable. My military experience and multidisciplinary approach to therapy have taught me resilience and the importance of mental health. As an LPC, I hold a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am currently pursuing a PhD in Social Psychology. I use a unique blend of therapy models in my practice, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, and sex therapy as a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP). This diverse approach allows me to better address your mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. I also integrate mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy to help you build a stronger, more positive relationship with yourself. My approach is especially supportive for those who have experienced trauma, providing a safe and nurturing environment to process and heal. Whether you're dealing with career stress, relationship issues, trauma, or looking to improve your self-awareness, I'm here to help. I offer a safe, compassionate, and judgment-free space where you can find the support you need. Together, we'll use practical tools and scientifically proven methods to help you achieve your goals. Take the first step towards a better life. Let's embark on this journey of growth and self-discovery together.

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

In your first session with me, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where your comfort and well-being are the top priorities. We will begin by discussing what brought you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. This initial conversation helps me understand your unique challenges and goals, whether they relate to relationships, career, stress, or emotional issues like anxiety and depression. During our time together, I'll take the opportunity to get to know you better and gather some background information to create a holistic picture of your situation. This might include discussing your personal history, current circumstances, and any previous experiences with therapy or mental health support. This comprehensive understanding allows me to tailor our sessions to best meet your needs. I'll introduce you to the therapeutic methods I use, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, and as a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP), sex therapy when relevant. I'll explain how these approaches can be customized to address your specific concerns. We will also discuss the integration of mindfulness, yoga, and art therapy into our sessions if these modalities resonate with you. We'll go over the structure of future sessions, including the frequency and duration of appointments, and discuss any initial recommendations I may have. I'll also explain how we can track your progress and adjust our approach as needed to ensure you are getting the most out of our time together. By the end of the first session, you will have a clearer understanding of the therapeutic process and how it can support your journey to emotional resilience. You will also have a sense of the collaborative nature of our work and what to expect moving forward. Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have, ensuring that you feel confident and comfortable as we begin this journey together. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly, knowing that you are not alone. Together, we will work towards your goals, helping you build a more fulfilling and balanced life.

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

One of my standout strengths lies in navigating the complex terrain of relationships, be it with a partner, family, or perhaps most critically, with oneself. Having served in the Army and worked in diverse settings like non-profit organizations and educational institutions, I bring a multi-faceted understanding of human resilience and struggle. This diverse background allows me to approach relationship issues with a unique blend of empathy, practicality, and insight. Another area where I excel is in helping clients manage stress and anxiety. Whether it's workplace tension, relationship strain, or self-inflicted stress, my toolkit is robust. Drawing from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I offer specific techniques to help you understand the cognitive patterns that fuel your anxiety and equip you with coping mechanisms to relieve stress. My approach is always customized to you, underpinned by my core belief in collaborative care. Together, we'll find the strategies that work best for you and evolve our approach as you grow and change.

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Daialectical Behavior (DBT)

As a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) therapist, I bring extensive training and experience to help you manage emotional imbalances and enhance your interpersonal relationships. DBT is a proven approach that focuses on providing practical skills such as mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance. In our sessions, I will equip you with these tools to help you handle challenges in relationships, career, stress, and anxiety with resilience and grace. My goal is to empower you with the ability to navigate life's ups and downs more effectively, fostering stability and well-being in your daily life.

Gottman method

As a Level 2 Certified Gottman Therapist, my experience with the Gottman Method is both extensive and deeply integrated into my practice. This method, grounded in over 40 years of research, offers a practical and highly effective approach to improving relationships. In our sessions, I utilize Gottman's principles to help you and your partner understand each other better, manage conflict constructively, and build a shared sense of purpose and meaning in your relationship. My training has equipped me with specific tools and strategies, such as the Sound Relationship House Theory and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, which I tailor to your unique relationship dynamics. I focus on fostering open communication, deepening emotional connections, and resolving conflicts in a healthy, constructive manner. My goal is to empower you to not only navigate your current challenges but also to equip you with the skills to maintain a strong, resilient relationship long after therapy has concluded.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

In my practice, I employ CBT techniques to help clients identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier beliefs and behaviors. This method is particularly effective for those looking to manage stress, overcome anxiety, and achieve career success.

Sex Therapy

As a Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP), my approach in sex therapy is deeply rooted in understanding and compassion. In our sessions, you'll find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore and address your sexual concerns and desires. My experience has taught me the crucial role of open communication and education in overcoming challenges related to intimacy and sexual expression. I tailor a variety of techniques to your unique situation, whether it's navigating issues of desire, performance, satisfaction, or the impact of health conditions on sexual well-being. I focus on the emotional, physical, and psychological aspects of sexuality, guiding you to understand and embrace your sexual self. Through this holistic approach, we work together towards a healthier, more fulfilling experience of your sexuality, enhancing both your personal well-being and your intimate relationships.

Jungian

In my therapy practice, I emphasize the importance of shadow work, a key concept in Jungian therapy. Shadow work involves exploring and integrating the parts of ourselves that we may have unconsciously rejected or ignored. These are aspects that we might view as negative or undesirable, but they are essential for our personal growth and self-awareness. My approach to shadow work involves guiding you through a process of self-discovery, where we uncover these hidden parts of your psyche. This exploration can reveal underlying reasons for certain behaviors, feelings, and relationship patterns. By bringing these aspects into the light, we can work towards understanding and accepting them, leading to a more holistic sense of self. In sessions, we might use techniques like dream analysis, creative expression, and reflective exercises to facilitate this exploration. This process can be challenging but also deeply rewarding, as it leads to greater self-acceptance, a reduction in internal conflicts, and a more authentic way of living. Shadow work is particularly beneficial for those who feel stuck or who want to deepen their understanding of themselves and their interactions with the world.

Ehsan A. Shabahang, LPC