About Shannon
Shannon Schaeffer helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and depression. She is a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa and brings ten years of experience to her practice. Shannon writes simply and directly so worried parents can quickly understand how she works.
She focuses on creating a calm, accepting space where people can say what’s on their mind. Conversations are grounded and practical. Shannon listens, reflects, and asks questions that help unstick painful patterns and bring clarity to daily struggles.
How Shannon works
Her approach draws on a mix of proven therapies. She uses acceptance and commitment ideas to help people clarify values and take small steps toward them. Cognitive behavioral techniques are used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking.
Mindfulness and existential perspectives help people notice what matters and find meaning amid hardship. Shannon also attends to background issues that can complicate life. That includes chronic pain, codependency, substance concerns, divorce and loss, dissociation, and midlife questions.
She works at a pace each person can manage and adjusts focus as needs change. Sessions are offered in English and delivered online through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Getting started involves a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a time that fits the person’s life.
Shannon lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Shannon works with
The areas below are the ones Shannon selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
Also listed
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Body image
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Social anxiety and phobia
Training and background
| Register | LMHC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Iowa |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Therapeutic approaches for online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice what really matters and take small steps toward those values, even when uncomfortable feelings are present. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking and acting to reduce distress. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention skills that make it easier to pause and respond rather than react impulsively.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences, and how problems show up in daily life. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them over time based on what helps.
Online sessions use video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video is useful for full conversations and reading nonverbal cues. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can work well during a break at work. Chat or text messaging can be a shorter check-in or a way to stay connected between longer sessions. These options make it easier to schedule care around family, work, and mobility limitations.
Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with ShannonWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What concerns does Shannon support?
What is Shannon's therapeutic style?
How long has she been practicing?
What are Shannon's credentials and location?
Which languages are available for sessions?
What session formats are available?
How is cost handled for sessions?
How do I begin working with her?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions