Hello! Thank you for considering me as your counselor. Let me give you an overview of my counseling style, education, experience and personal background.
Counseling Style:
My theoretical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe our thoughts lead to our emotions and behaviors. Initially, I use worksheets to help you uncover underlying beliefs you have about events or issues that lead to uncomfortable emotions or self-defeating behaviors. I also like to tie in neurobiology to help you understand that we can manipulate the way our brains work to speed up change. I tend to use humor initially to break the ice and normalize behaviors.
Education:
I earned by Masters of Counseling at University of Phoenix in 2002. I also received a Master of Arts in Organizational Management in 2001 at University of Phoenix. I was pursuing my Doctorate in Neuropsychology at Argosy University from 2010 - 2013 but my life plan changed so I decided not to complete the degree. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. I am required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain my license; therefore, I have extensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Posttramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), neuropsychology, depression and anxiety.
Experience:
I started in the mental health field as a Crisis Counselor for the Phoenix Fire Department for four years while I was getting my Masters degrees. After graduation, I became a Crisis Counselor in emergency rooms throughout the Valley for six years. I transitioned into a traditional counselor position specializing in PTSD with police officers, fire fighters, and military personnel. I also really enjoyed working with people in life transitions (careers, school, retirement, marriage, dating, etc.). I became the Director of Psychological Health for the Arizona Army National Guard in 2013 working with soldiers in pre- and post-deployment phases, suicide prevention, PTSD, and military sexual trauma. When that contract ended, I helped open Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital as the Director of Intake & Assessment. I currently work for Arizona's state crisis system and am in a telecommuting position. I missed individual counseling and am thrilled to be a part of the Better Help team.
Personal Background:
I am a 3rd generation native Arizonan (my mom and grandmother were born and raised in Phoenix which is very rare). I grew up in Flagstaff and moved to Phoenix after graduating from NAU. I decided to pursue a counseling career after my aunt's experience in the emergency room when my uncle died suddenly and unexpectedly at 46 years old. I knew there was a compassionate way to deliver heartbreaking and life-changing information. I also had a wonderful counselor who helped me recover from PTSD after my brief stint in the military. I have been divorced twice and recently relocated to Phoenix to be closer to family & friends. I have 2 spoiled dachshunds and love to travel and am learning to crochet.
Thank you for taking time to read my bio and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Additional areas of focus: Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Divorce and separation, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
AZ LPC 11886
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shannon Madden. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Shannon prefers more video and phone sessions than I've had with other counselors on BH, which is great. She has understood my issues from the beginning and has been very helpful in getting me through a tough time. She backs up our discussions with written information and offers techniques for me to practice. I'm feeling much better since we began working together,
Written on Sep 17, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
I have been to counselors before across a wide variety of models; in-person, through guided programs, and through BetterHelp. Most of the time, I've been given platitudes. The whole, "You're dealing with a lot, but doing the best you can" stuff.
Shannon is the first one to have ever understood what I was doing and the underlying mechanisms that cause me to do what I'm doing. And, because she addresses things from a place of knowledge (she's very research-based/ fact-based), I don't feel any judgment. Moreover, her personality is quite feisty and she doesn't hold back. She's always giving me new things to read, asking me questions that help me reexamine my own words, helping me delve more into my own thought processes and where they're coming from. For the first time ever, I don't feel like I have to look like the person who has it all together. I feel safe and comfortable admitting to thoughts/ feelings/ actions I've kept under wraps in the past because I know she isn't going to judge me and will walk me through where those things are coming from and how to cope with them.
She's the only one who has ever suggested I get on a call with her, and because of that, is the only one I've done so with. Being able to hear her voice- the personality, tone, and inflection- is a big part of why I began to feel more comfortable with her. She's also fairly quick to respond, and always responds to what I've said in a meaningful way, which makes me feel like she genuinely cares.
I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel confident that I will make progress because of her approach. It's kind of a scary place to be- I'm letting go of a lot of what I "know" and allowing myself to feel things that I would have otherwise drowned out with a project of some sort. I don't think I'd be doing that if I hadn't met Shannon. So, kudos to her and the Better Help team. I don't know what the future holds, but I'm glad to be on this path.
Written on Aug 19, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship, family, and trauma and abuse
When I first met Shannon I basically just wrote everything out that was bothering me and right away she started to delve into specific things and really got the ball rolling. It's been amazing so far and I would wholeheartedly recommend working with her.
Written on Aug 06, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship, and self esteem
I appreciate her patience as I am Ill and trying to gain strength emotionally mentally and physically. She had been supportive, interested and caring yet not intrusive. I appreciate her. Although we have not touched base to elaborate my “deep” trials endeavors and tribulations I’m extremely appreciative of her patience and continued support on all levels.
Written on Jul 22, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related, sleeping, parenting, self esteem, and anger
I love that Shannon checks in on me and sends a quote of the day. It helps keep me on track and reminds me to work on myself every day and stay on top of everything. She got to know me and had asked a lot of questions before we started assignments and reading materials, it made me feel like this was going to be a personal experience.
Written on Jul 18, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family, intimacy-related, self esteem, career, and bipolar
Working with Shannon has been amazing in just such a short time. She knows what’s going on right away. I love that she’s relatable. Most therapists are so closed off about who they are, but Shannon lets you know that she’s a human too. I can’t thank her enough for helping me through my issues. I appreciate the positives she sees in me. It feels nice. Thank you Shannon!!
Written on Jul 15, 2018 after therapy with Shannon for 1 week on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating, and bipolar