Shannon Flaherty Gibbons, LCSW - Therapist in California

About Shannon

Shannon Flaherty Gibbons is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of professional experience in California. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting, self-esteem, and adapting to life changes. She aims to make the first step toward help feel manageable and supported.

Shannon offers a calm, nonjudgmental presence for people who are worried or overwhelmed. She creates a space where thoughts and feelings can be talked through openly. Sessions emphasize clear communication and practical skills that can be used between meetings.

Background and approach

Shannon draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which helps identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which supports values-based action despite difficult emotions. Her approach also includes Attachment-Based Therapy to examine how early connections influence current relationships, and Client-Centered Therapy to keep the client’s goals central.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when emotion regulation and distress tolerance are needed. She adjusts methods to match what each person brings to the room. Shannon works with people facing a wide range of concerns beyond the core topics, including caregiver stress, chronic illness, eating issues, and communication problems.

Her experience covers challenges related to aging, fertility, cancer, and grief from abandonment or major life events. She explains options plainly and helps people choose what fits their situation. Sessions are offered in English and conducted online through multiple formats.

Shannon emphasizes collaboration - clients set goals and she supports steps toward them. The overall aim is steady progress and practical tools that help day-to-day life.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then take steps that match their values. It can be helpful for anxiety, stress, and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying out new behaviors to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It is often used for anxiety and low mood. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and communication, and can help people understand and shift those patterns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. That collaborative process guides which methods are emphasized and how sessions are structured.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and varied comfort levels. These options make it easier to fit therapy into family life, work days, or caregiving routines. Sessions still focus on real skills, clear feedback, and practical steps that can be applied between meetings, while allowing clients to connect from their preferred location.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

The practice focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. There is also work related to caregiver stress, chronic illness, eating issues, and communication problems.

What is her general therapy style?

She creates an open, nonjudgmental space and emphasizes practical skills. Sessions balance talking through feelings with clear exercises clients can use between meetings.

How long has she been practicing?

She has 26 years of professional experience working with people on a wide range of life and relationship concerns.

Where is she licensed and what is her credential?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, listed as CA LCSW 20321, and practices in California.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are provided to clients within the therapist's permitted region.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and therapy uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Parenting issues

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 26 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

Next step

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