Shannon Rapalo Medina

Compassionate clinician for stress and trauma

LICSW Minnesota

Experience: 7 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages: English

About Shannon

Shannon Rapalo Medina is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people seeking greater emotional balance and clearer coping strategies.

Background and approach

With seven years of professional experience in Minnesota, she focuses on concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, and depression while also addressing issues like forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation, life purpose, and financial stress. Her work emphasizes practical steps clients can take toward feeling more grounded and empowered.

She uses evidence-informed methods drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches to support measurable change in thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Sessions center on building a nonjudgmental, collaborative space where feelings and experiences can be explored honestly.

Shannon aims to meet clients where they are, helping them identify priorities, develop coping skills, and take achievable steps toward the life they want. Clients can expect a clinician-oriented yet personable style that balances practical techniques with compassionate support.

Shannon frames challenges as areas for growth and partners with people to increase resilience, clarify values, and restore a sense of agency in daily life.

Approaches that guide online care

Shannon commonly draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Trauma-Focused Therapy in her online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical exercises, which can help with anxiety, low mood, and stress by building new thinking and behavior patterns. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on processing traumatic memories and reducing their emotional hold, aiming to improve daily functioning and lessen post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, symptoms, and preferences together to decide which methods to emphasize, and they adjust the plan as progress unfolds to make sure the work stays relevant and effective for the individual.

Online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging make it possible to engage in this work with flexible scheduling and varied communication styles. These options allow clients to practice skills between sessions, check in when challenges arise, and access care from locations across Minnesota without travel, supporting continuity and consistency in the therapeutic process.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Shannon address?

She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, and depression, and also focuses on forgiveness, guilt and shame, isolation, life purpose, and money-related stress.

What is her therapeutic style and approach?

Her approach blends practical, skills-based techniques with a supportive, collaborative stance, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) among other evidence-informed methods to help clients make concrete changes.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has seven years of professional experience providing mental health support in Minnesota.

What credentials and location should I know about?

She is licensed as an LICSW and practices in Minnesota; her license number is MN LICSW 26538.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are conducted in English and international clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different communication preferences.

How does pricing and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are required to begin working with her?

Prospective clients select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Self esteem Depression

Additional focus areas

ForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Post-traumatic stressSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

7+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English