Shannon Atherton

As someone who has personally experienced, and overcome social phobia, I am familiar with the hardships, as well as what works in treating this condition. I use cognitive behavioral therapy and schema therapy to address unhealthy beliefs and thought patterns that may be impacting your ability to be your best self socially.

Personal growth is an incredible journey to watch people go through. Each journey is unique to the individual. I act as a guide to help people discover/create their authentic self so that they might live their best life. In addition, I help people discover and overcome any barriers that might be limiting a person's growth.

In my work with people who have characteristics of codependency, I have found that these people are some of the kindest people on our planet. They have huge hearts and tend to give their all to others. Unfortunately this often comes with self-neglect, low self-esteem, and entering into unhealthy relationships. I help these individuals learn how to use self-love and healthy boundaries.

I have years of experience and training in working with those who suffer from addiction and substance abuse. I help people work through the obstacles that often interfere with maintaining sobriety.

I have found that the Gottman Method is incredibly helpful for couples and parenting. I use the various principles that Dr. John Gottman discovered that are common in couples who remain happy and together over a long period of time.

Many people with issues such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, have irrational, unhealthy thought patterns that are either contributing or causing their symptoms. I help teach clients the concepts of CBT and how to use CBT to identify irrational thought patterns and rewire their brain to create healthier thinking habits.

I am personally diagnosed with ADHD and understand how having an atypical brain can impact all areas of life. I also understand how ADHD can be a gift. I help clients learn how to manage the difficult parts of ADHD, while learning how to use the gifts of ADHD to create a life they can begin to thrive in.

I have been working in substance abuse counseling since 2017. I have done past work with participants in DWI and Drug Court. I treat each person as an individual with unique treatment needs. In many cases, there is a strong mental health component that is getting in the way with sobriety.

Trauma impacts us in many different ways. I help the client figure out the ways in which trauma has impacted them, so that they can finally heal and move past this trauma without it leading to suffering and self-sabotage.

Schema Therapy is a way to identify and address maladaptive beliefs that may be causing self-sabotage and feelings of being "stuck". Trauma is a common cause of maladaptive beliefs that interfere with well-being and success in all areas of life, such as relationships, mental health, career success, etc. Scheme Therapy is a way to go beyond treating just the symptoms, and instead get to the root of the problem and address the issues that are causing the symptoms to begin with.

The Gottman Method is a highly effective treatment for couples in counseling with decades of research to back it up. I help teach clients the techniques within this method, and then guide them through practicing them in session.