Therapist Patrick Shanahan Photo

Patrick Shanahan, LCSW

Relationships Grief Anger management Self esteem, Motivation Depression
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

My belief and approach to therapy begins with the idea that humans are generally self- correcting. This follows the teaching of both Carl Jung and Milton Erickson. We can get stuck for a variety of reasons and if able to get past that point, it can lead to us moving in a healthier direction. I believe that our value systems are extremely important to finding direction and solutions. I have studied comparative religions and cultures to be able to understand and work with a wide variety of people. I have worked in many different settings with a wide range of cultures and values.
Currently my greatest strength is in working with individuals and couples. I started my career by creating and running an outpatient clinic as part of a runaway and homeless youth shelter. I did this for my first 18 years. We provided case management, individual and family therapy to youth and their families. We did this both in the shelter and in the community. My personal approach includes brief family therapy, problem solving therapy, structural and strategic systems theory, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral, communication theory and addiction therapies. I trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students. I worked in conjunction with a local university to conduct research which enabled us to improve our working therapy model and process. During this time, I completed 29 hours towards a PH. D in family therapy. I was offered a fellowship with Washington University's Ph. D program. I worked part time for New Life Christian Counseling, an outpatient therapy group, providing professional Christian therapy. I then worked 18 years for managed care helping members utilize their mental health benefits, providing phone therapy and crisis intervention. My other experiences were in outpatient office settings.

Professional experience

44yrs in practice
Relationships Grief Anger management Self esteem, Motivation Depression

Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Blended family issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and veterans issues, Money and financial issues, Multicultural concerns, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Workplace issues, Young adult issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Jungian Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

MO LCSW 000602

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Patrick Shanahan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Patrick, is amazing. Thank you Patrick.

Written on Aug 05, 2024 after therapy with Patrick for 9 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and anger management

I love Patrick caring person and understanding of my needs.

Written on May 20, 2024 after therapy with Patrick for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes

He’s great!!

Written on Apr 17, 2024 after therapy with Patrick for 7 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues

Patrick has really helped us with our struggles. He listens well and interjects with suggestions for healing. We’re very grateful to have him as our therapist!

Written on Jan 17, 2024 after therapy with Patrick for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and parenting issues

Patrick listens well and makes every effort to understand the underlying causes of my issues.

Written on Nov 07, 2023 after therapy with Patrick for 3 weeks

patrick is awesome - hears you out and empathizes with you (you can tell he's actually actively listening), has expertise, pushes you to be better in a good way, can't recommend enough

Written on Oct 19, 2023 after therapy with Patrick for 3 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem