I’m Shanna, and my passion for this work comes from a deep conviction: it only takes ONE PERSON in ONE GENERATION to change THE REST OF THEIR FAMILY LINEAGE. I truly believe in the power of you, and I get fired up when a new client reaches out, ready to tackle their traumas and take control of their life. I’m here to help you make peace with the past, find strength in the present, and bravely step into your future.
My path to becoming a therapist began with a natural knack for mediation and empathy, stemming from my own experiences growing up in a dysfunctional family. I dove into graduate work, driven by a simple truth: 'I loved people.' Through my own journey of healing via therapy and 12-Step programs, I gained profound insights into transforming personal challenges into powerful catalysts for change. Now, as a business owner, I am a living testament to post-traumatic growth, and I live to see others turn the ashes of their past into a beautiful, thriving present.
I specialize in providing therapy for adults seeking to heal from lingering childhood trauma and break free from the patterns of family pathology. My approach is particularly supportive for individuals navigating dysfunctional family experiences, those from Christian worldviews, friends and family of alcoholics, athletes/runners, and first responder families/spouses. I also help clients manage chronic stress & anxiety, codependency, and improve couples conflict.
My therapeutic approach is highly personalized, molding a range of powerful methods to fit your specific needs. I work hard to pay attention to and appreciate what happens in the room – because so much is missed when the body is ignored. We believe the body speaks a language all on its own, and we work to give it a voice in the room to facilitate deeper healing.
I integrate a comprehensive toolkit of effective therapies to support your journey, including:
In our sessions, you can expect a warm, passionate, and deeply collaborative experience. We’ll identify your goals together, explore your experiences without judgment, and actively work on strategies to help you navigate life's challenges. You'll gain new perspectives, learn practical skills, and feel truly supported as you take control of your life and break free from old patterns.
When I'm not in session, I'm often found pursuing my passions: I'm a dedicated Christian, an endurance runner (working towards a Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:20!), and truly enjoy the outdoors. At home, I'm a proud dog mom to Captain, my German Shepherd (my SOUL dog!), and cat mom to Winston, Killy, and LT. My husband of 9 years is a wonderful firefighter, and we love living in the country and taking cross-country road trips together.
My clients often tell me that I am incredibly warm, relatable, supportive, and encouraging. They appreciate that I'm direct yet compassionate, helping them face challenges head-on while feeling completely seen and understood. My belief in 'all behavior is purposeful,' and that 'vulnerability IS strength, NOT weakness,' creates a powerful, non-judgmental space for you to heal and grow authentically.
It can feel incredibly overwhelming to get started, especially when you’ve been carrying so much weight alone. But you don’t have to do this anymore. I’m here to help you bravely face those challenges, providing the compassionate support and practical tools you need to heal and reclaim your life. If you're ready to break free from the impact of past traumas and family patterns, let's take this courageous step together.
Yes, I often suggest optional "homework" or practices to support your progress between sessions. This might include a recommended book, a worksheet, a video, or specific skills to practice. These assignments are always to your benefit, as you get out of therapy what you put into it. If you don't complete them, no problem—we'll just pick up where we left off.
You ultimately determine the length of your therapy journey. It depends on your readiness for change, the goals you bring, the severity of your issues (like childhood trauma or chronic stress), and how committed you are to implementing new skills. Therapy remains available as long as you continue to benefit and actively work towards achieving your goals.
Your feedback is crucial to your success! If you feel things have stalled or you're not seeing the progress you hoped for, please talk with me directly about it. As a collaborative therapist, I welcome your honest feedback. I'll also proactively check in by referencing your original therapeutic goals to ensure we're still on track or if we need to adjust our approach together to better serve your needs.
My fees for a 50-minute individual intake session are $210, and $160 per 50-minute session thereafter. For couples, intake sessions are $220 for 50 minutes, then $200 per 50-minute session. We also offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. A majority of our clients pay out-of-pocket, but we do accept a select number of clients with Sana Benefits, Cigna, Aetna, Oscar Health, UMR, United, Optum, BCBS of Massachusetts, and Quest Behavioral Health. If we don't accept your plan, we can provide a superbill (automatically via Simple Practice) for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Please contact your insurance to verify your mental health benefits.