Shannon Shackford

Practical therapy rooted in compassion and clarity

LPC Virginia

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Shannon

Shannon Shackford is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Virginia who blends practical skills and compassionate support to help people navigate emotional challenges.

Background and approach

She emphasizes cognitive behavioral strategies alongside acceptance-based and client-centered principles to help clients notice unhelpful patterns, build self-compassion, and develop concrete coping tools for daily life. With three years of clinical experience, Shannon has guided clients through concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, panic, and grief.

Her work also addresses life transitions including divorce and other major changes, as well as the long-term effects of isolation, trauma, and compassion fatigue. She integrates motivational interviewing and existential reflection when clients are clarifying values, life purpose, or career direction.

Shannon creates a nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore feelings, practice new ways of communicating, and rebuild resilience. She supports personalized plans that honor each person's goals and pace, using therapy techniques that promote problem-solving, emotional awareness, and gradual behavioral change.

Shannon accepts international clients and offers sessions tailored to individual needs from her Virginia practice.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support

Shannon often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify thought and behavior patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, and panic attacks; CBT focuses on practical strategies to change unhelpful thinking and build healthier habits. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to guide clients toward clarifying personal values, accepting difficult emotions, and taking action that aligns with what matters most. Client-centered therapy underpins her work by prioritizing empathic listening and creating a respectful space where clients set the pace and direction of therapy.

Finding the right fit is treated as a collaborative process. Shannon works with each person to explore which combination of approaches best matches their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting techniques as progress and needs evolve. This collaborative stance helps shape a tailored plan rather than forcing a single method on every client.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for people with busy schedules or geographic constraints. These options make it possible to maintain continuity of care, experiment with different formats, and access support from Virginia regardless of location, while allowing appointments to be scheduled around work, family, or travel commitments.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Shannon focuses on issues including stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, ADHD, addictions, grief, anger, bipolar concerns, parenting challenges, and compassion fatigue, along with related topics like isolation and life purpose.

What is the therapist's general approach or style?

She uses a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered techniques, existential reflection, and motivational interviewing to combine skill-building, values work, and empathic support.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Shannon has three years of professional experience working with the listed concerns and integrating several therapeutic approaches into her practice.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds the LPC credential and is licensed in Virginia with licence number VA LPC 0701015072.

Can I work with this therapist if I live outside the United States?

Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions with English-speaking clients outside the U.S.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How are costs and billing handled for sessions?

Costs vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with this therapist?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes ADHD

Also works with

Addictions GriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsDivorce and separationForgivenessIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressSelf-love

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

Virginia

Languages

English