Shawn Mcgivern

Collaborative, evidence-informed therapy for life transitions

LMHC Massachusetts

Experience: 27 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Shawn

Shawn Mcgivern is a licensed mental health counselor with 27 years of clinical experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse.

Background and approach

She blends practical, evidence-informed methods with empathic listening to support identity exploration, grief work, and challenges like eating or sleeping concerns, perfectionism, and imposter feelings. Shawn emphasizes building communication skills and personal strategies that fit each person’s life circumstances.

Her practice highlights strengths and resilience while addressing intimacy-related issues, family and caregiving stress, and a wide range of coping needs from career-related pressure to parenting and separation. She uses a collaborative style that honors each client’s values and goals, helping them develop self-understanding, healthier patterns, and actionable tools.

Shawn brings particular attention to attachment-related dynamics, body image, codependency, and commitment or control issues in relationships. Working in Massachusetts as an LMHC, she offers tailored support for those seeking guidance through transitions, identity questions, or recovery from difficult experiences.

Her approach balances compassionate presence with concrete techniques so clients can make steady progress toward clearer communication, improved self-esteem, and more effective coping.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Delivered Online

Shawn often integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep or eating disturbances. ACT emphasizes values-guided action and acceptance strategies to help clients live more meaningfully even when difficult emotions arise. She also uses attachment-informed work to explore relationship patterns and improve communication and intimacy issues, helping clients understand how early bonds influence current connections.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shawn works with clients to assess needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors methods so therapy fits each person’s life. She emphasizes partnership in setting priorities and adjusting techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Shawn is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility and access across different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it possible to maintain continuity of care during life changes, reduce travel time, and allow clients to engage in therapy from familiar settings while working toward improved coping, communication, and personal growth.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Shawn commonly address?

She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related problems, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, self-esteem, anger, and career-related stressors.

What therapeutic style does she use in sessions?

Her style is collaborative and client-centered, combining empathy with practical strategies. She draws on several evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT, and attachment-focused work to match client needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 27 years of experience providing mental health services, bringing long-term clinical perspective to complex emotional and relational challenges.

What are Shawn's credentials and where is she located?

She is an LMHC with the credential listed as MA LMHC 6656 and practices in Massachusetts.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

She does not accept international clients at this time and works with clients within the specified service region.

Which session formats are available for online work?

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

How are costs and payments handled?

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

What are the steps to begin therapy with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule appointments according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Grief Depression

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Phobias Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

27+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English