Patrick Shanahan , LCSW

Patrick Shanahan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who approaches therapy with the conviction that people are generally self-correcting, an outlook shaped by the teachings of Carl Jung and Milton Erickson. He emphasizes the importance of personal values in finding direction and solutions, and his study of comparative religions and cultures supports his ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Early in his career he created and ran an outpatient clinic connected to a runaway and homeless youth shelter, a role he maintained for 18 years. In that setting he provided case management, individual therapy, and family therapy both in the shelter and within the wider community. His practice has long blended brief family therapy, problem-solving methods, structural and strategic systems theory, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, communication-focused approaches, and addiction therapies.

He has trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students and collaborated with a local university on research to refine therapeutic models and processes. He completed 29 hours toward a Ph.D. in family therapy and was offered a fellowship with Washington Universitys Ph.D. program. Patrick also worked part time with New Life Christian Counseling providing professional Christian therapy and later spent 18 years in managed care assisting members with mental health benefits, offering phone therapy and crisis intervention. His clinical background also includes work in outpatient office settings, where he continues to draw on decades of experience to support individuals and couples.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take practical steps toward a meaningful life even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present. It is useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes because it combines acceptance strategies with goal-directed action.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationships and emotional bonds, exploring how early attachment patterns influence current connections. This approach can be especially helpful for intimacy-related issues, relationship struggles, and family concerns by improving emotional understanding and safety between partners or family members.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms and improve functioning. It is often applied to anxiety, depression, anger, and addictive behaviors and provides practical skills for managing day-to-day challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the process, and Patrick works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. He draws on different models and tailors the plan together with each person or couple.

Online therapy offers flexibility - sessions by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit support into busy schedules and to access licensed professionals from different locations. These options expand access to ongoing care and allow clients to choose the format that feels most comfortable and convenient for their situation.