Michelle Shannon , LPC

Michelle Shannon is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Oregon with 15 years of experience. She focuses on common life pressures like stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and career concerns. She also supports people facing communication problems, control issues, guilt and shame, loneliness, and questions about life purpose and self-love. Women’s issues are a noted focus area in her work.

She aims to create a straightforward, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through what’s on their mind. Sessions emphasize listening first, then practical steps to reduce distress. Conversations are meant to feel collaborative rather than prescriptive.

Michelle blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral techniques to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try small behavior changes. She also uses dialectical behavior strategies to teach emotion regulation and mindfulness to build calm in daily life.

Her approach is goal-oriented and paced to each person’s needs. She uses motivational interviewing when people feel stuck or unsure about change. The focus is on manageable tools you can use between sessions.

People who reach out can expect clear communication about next steps and options for online formats. Michelle encourages taking small, practical steps and checks in on what’s working. Her style suits people who want a balanced mix of empathy and actionable strategies.

How Michelle’s Approaches Translate to Online Care

Client-centered therapy puts the person’s goals and experiences at the center of each session. The therapist listens closely, reflects what she hears, and helps shape goals the client finds meaningful. This approach helps people feel heard and builds trust before trying new skills.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and many everyday problems because it breaks issues into steps you can practice between sessions. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, offers concrete tools for managing intense emotions and improving coping skills in the moment.

Michelle treats choosing an approach as a collaborative process. She will work with each person to decide whether client-centered listening, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, or motivational interviewing fits best. Goals, preferences, and how someone responds guide adjustments over time.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for in-depth sessions and visual connection, while phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can be good for brief check-ins, skill practice, or when a shorter touchpoint fits a busy day. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, family, and other commitments.