Shannon Russell licensed mental health counselor

I treat treatment resistant depression with Ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP). I am passionate about providing KAP for those who have been struggling with depression without any success with other treatment modalities. Creating a safe healing space where you can connect with yourself without any judgment is a powerful experience.

When treating anxiety, I want my clients to experience relief, get to know their anxiety, and befriend it. We do this by learning how to regulate our nervous system, send curiosity and compassion to these anxious parts of us, and notice how we can gain space from our anxiety through this process. Some of the modalities used are ego state, IFS, polyvagal, somatic work

I use a trauma informed approach where we focus primarily on the therapeutic relationship and the feeling of safety. Creating a safe container where you are able to safely feel your feelings is imperative to healing. I provide EMDR and parts work (ego state or IFS) to work through past traumas. These approaches offer a safe and reflective process where one can feel safe and able to begin the healing process. Finding relief from all the symptoms you carry is our goal.

Focusing on where you feel that in your body is a way to stay present, give your brain a break, and to build a better relationship with your body and your mind. Through just noticing, sitting, and reflecting, we can find ways to heal. In this approach, the body is the starting point to achieve healing. This form of therapy cultivates an awareness of bodily sensations, and teaches people to feel safe in their bodies while exploring thoughts, emotions, and memories.

I utilize IFS to help promote building a better relationship with our inner world. Getting to know "our parts", sending curiosity and compassion, and providing a non-judgmental approach, can provide an immense amount of relief and healing. When we are able to notice that this is "our anxious part" and not "I am anxious", we find a lot of space. Space between you and your anxious part. This space allows for reflection, relief, and healing.

I utilize EMDR not just for trauma but for other triggers and symptoms as well. EMDR is an 8 phase protocol which combines parts work and somatic work. If I find a client is "stuck", I might introduce EMDR to get things moving again. One of the great things about EMDR is that you do not have to talk about your past traumas in order to effectively engage in EMDR. The brain is doing all of the work, sometimes behind the scenes.