Shannon Madden , LPC

Shannon Madden is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Arizona with 26 years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, grief, relationship struggles, trauma, and major life transitions. She trained at the University of Phoenix, earning a Master of Counseling in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management in 2001, and holds a Bachelor of Science from Northern Arizona University. Shannon also pursued doctoral studies in neuropsychology at Argosy University from 2010 to 2013 but chose not to complete the degree. Her license requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years, and she has completed additional training in EMDR, posttraumatic stress disorder, neuropsychology, depression, and anxiety.

Shannon began her clinical career as a crisis counselor with the Phoenix Fire Department while completing her graduate work, then provided crisis counseling in multiple emergency rooms for six years. She later focused on PTSD treatment for police, fire, and military personnel and served as Director of Psychological Health for the Arizona Army National Guard beginning in 2013, working with soldiers before and after deployment on issues such as suicide prevention and military sexual trauma. After that contract ended she helped open Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital as Director of Intake and Assessment. She currently works in Arizona's state crisis system in a telecommuting role and has maintained a consistent focus on individual counseling throughout her career. She is also part of the Better Help team.

Raised in Flagstaff and a third generation Arizonan, Shannon's decision to become a counselor was shaped by personal family experiences and supportive professional care she received after a brief military stint. She has been divorced twice, recently relocated to Phoenix to be near family and friends, and enjoys travel, crocheting, and life with two spoiled dachshunds. Shannon blends evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with an understanding of neurobiology and practical tools to help clients recognize patterns, manage emotions, and make meaningful changes.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

Shannon frequently uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify the thoughts that shape feelings and behaviors and to develop practical strategies for changing unhelpful patterns. This approach is often helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, and problem-solving during life transitions.

She also incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy to explore relational patterns and strengthen emotional connection in families and partnerships, which can be useful for resolving ongoing relationship distress and attachment concerns. Mindfulness Therapy appears in her toolbox as well, offering simple attention practices to reduce reactivity, improve sleep, and support coping with chronic stress or pain.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative work between client and therapist. Shannon helps clients choose and tailor methods based on their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility in how care is delivered. Clients can meet by video call, connect by phone, or use live chat and text-based messaging to fit sessions into busy schedules or manage accessibility needs. These options allow ongoing support across different life demands while maintaining a consistent, therapeutic relationship with a trained therapist.