Patrick Shanahan

Patrick Shanahan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 44 years of practice. He helps people who are struggling with anger, relationship problems, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, and major life transitions. He writes simply and listens closely to find what matters most to each person.

He sees both individuals and couples. Sessions focus on identifying where someone is stuck and finding practical next steps. Patrick emphasizes personal values as a guide to change and uses straightforward problem solving to help people move forward.

His early work involved creating and running an outpatient clinic at a runaway and homeless youth shelter. For 18 years he provided case management, individual therapy, and family therapy in the shelter and community. He also trained and supervised staff and graduate students and collaborated with a university on research to improve clinical work.

Patrick later worked in outpatient settings and spent 18 years in managed care, offering phone therapy and crisis intervention while helping people use their mental health benefits. He has experience providing therapy in a variety of cultural and community settings and has studied comparative religions and cultures to work respectfully with diverse values.

His clinical methods include cognitive behavioral techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, attachment-based ideas, emotionally-focused methods, brief family therapy, structural and strategic systems theory, hypnotherapy, and addiction therapies. He combines these tools to fit each person’s needs and goals.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on clarifying personal values and taking small, meaningful actions toward them. It can help when anger, depression, or life transitions leave someone feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often useful for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape current patterns and can be helpful for intimacy and relationship struggles.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods match their goals, needs, and preferences. That choice can shift as progress is made, and sessions adapt to what helps most.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time, and let people choose quieter surroundings or shorter check-ins when needed. Many clients find that working with a licensed professional this way supports consistent progress while staying practical for everyday life.