Shannon Watson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) experienced in working with a variety of populations, including the Veteran population, older adults and adults with disabilities, and those struggling with mental health issues and diagnoses.  During her graduate program at Loyola University Chicago, Shannon specialized in Healthcare and Mental Health Care, and completed an internship with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, which provided her with extensive experience in working with the Veteran population in a mental health setting.  She has experience in working with a wide range of diagnoses, including but not limited to, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and psychosis, in addition to struggles with suicide and self-harm, trauma, addictions,  and anger management.

Shannon is passionate about helping others to live their best lives, and believes that no issue is too big to tackle together.  Shannon has spent the last several years providing mental health and substance abuse treatment in clinical settings and appreciates that each person and their life circumstances are unique.  Shannon takes into account each person’s culture and beliefs, as well as their life experiences, during treatment and believes that these factors are essential to a successful therapeutic relationship. 

Shannon utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy and skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to validate present emotions and difficulties, and evaluate how prior experiences may impact present thoughts and actions.   Shannon also places great value on Mindfulness practice in order to help manage emotions, reduce anxiety by focusing and enjoying the present, and improving communication.  Ultimately, through these skills, Shannon hopes to significantly improve a client’s relationships with others, but most importantly their relationship with themselves.  

Shannon believes that trust is of the utmost importance when engaging in therapy, and as result encourages a judgement-free space where you can feel free to safely express yourself and your emotions in a comfortable environment.  Shannon promotes challenging oneself, but also recognizes that change comes at one’s own pace.