BIOGRAPHY
A little about
who I am.
I'
m a staff therapist at Insight & Action Therapy, holding a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from CUNY Hunter College. Before
becoming a therapist, I worked as a photojournalist, and I think that earlier work still shapes how I show up to this one. I care deeply about empowering people to tell their own stories and am drawn to the nuance of each person’s experience. My background encourages a kind of thoughtful curiosity and deep empathy, creating space for clients to explore their internal narrative and emotional landscape.
In my work, I especially enjoy supporting individuals navigating chronic illness, disability and/or neurodivergence. In a world that often holds narrow expectations for how our brains and bodies should function, it's so easy to feel misunderstood or left out when you don’t fit these molds. I bring both clinical training and lived experience to this work. I have a firsthand understanding of how isolating and overwhelming these experiences can be.
Therapy for Chronic Illness and Disability in New York City
Living with medical complexity is an experience that touches every part of life and is often misunderstood or minimized, even in healthcare settings. I have worked closely with clients experiencing a wide range of conditions including autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, dysautonomia and chronic pain. I specialize in their emotional and psychological impact, including symptom unpredictability, changes in energy, grief over lost capacities and related identity shifts.
Therapy for Neurodivergence in New York City
Being neurodivergent can shape how you take in the world, connect with others and get through everyday demands. I work with people who have spent a lot of time feeling strained by typical expectations and are looking for a space where nothing about how their mind works needs to be explained away or fixed.
Intersecting Identities and Whole-Person Care
I'm committed to whole-person, identity-affirming care. I recognize that neurodivergence, chronic illness, and disability never exist in isolation. They are interwoven with gender, sexuality, race, culture and every other dimension of who a person is. I make sure all aspects of each client's identity are considered, valued and honored throughout our work together.
MY APPROACH
Connect first, then deepen understanding.
We begin by building a genuine sense of connection and trust. From there, we explore what you’re going through, untangling experiences and finding language for emotional states that can be hard to put into words.
My therapeutic style is strengths-based and rooted in a Humanistic, Person-Centered framework, one that honors the wisdom and resilience each client already carries. I create a warm, unhurried space where you can reflect and develop a more caring relationship with yourself and your body. I incorporate Compassion-Focused Therapy to address self-criticism and shame, which are especially common among those who have spent years feeling misunderstood or out of step with the world around them. My approach always leans into true collaboration. Together, we will identify strategies that feel helpful and sustainable, shaped around who you are and what really matters most.
"I also just want to say how incredible my time with Shannon has been. Therapy is even more rewarding than I imagined."
- C., CLIENT OF 3 YEARS
Education & training
Licensure, schools, and continued training.
2026
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), New York State
LICENSE #017962
2026
Chronic Illness & Medical Trauma Clinical Cohort
REVIVE PRACTICE WORKSHOP
2024
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy with Autism & ADHD Clients
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS INSTITUTE
2024
Masters in Mental Health Counseling
CUNY Hunter College
2023
Advanced Clinical Internship
INSIGHT & ACTION THERAPY
2010
B.A., Photography
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SACRAMENTO
Specialities & who I work with
Areas I've trained in and worked with most.
Populations I see most
O Adults
O Individuals experiencing chronic illness,
O chronic pain, and disability
O People who are neurodivergent
O People in or considering a major life transition
BOOK A SESSION
When works for you?
Pick a time below and we'll confirm within one business day. First sessions are 55-60 minutes; regular sessions are 45-50 minutes.