PuttingFamilyFirst

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SP Portrait of Shannon Pena
Online therapist

Shannon Pena

Practical support for stressed parents and caregivers

Credentials
LCMHC
Experience
8 years
Licensed in
North Carolina
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Shannon

Shannon Pena helps parents and caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or parenting challenges. She writes and talks in a straightforward way to make sessions feel manageable. Shannon uses plain language to help people sort priorities, calm strong emotions, and find steps that fit their family life.

Shannon is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor - LCMHC practicing in North Carolina with eight years of experience. She has spent much of her career supporting young adults and people with developmental differences, including autism spectrum presentations and ADHD.

Background and approach

She has also worked with a range of concerns such as career questions, coping with life changes, anger, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Her approach is client-centered, which means she starts by listening and shaping work around each person. She combines practical problem solving with support for emotions and relationships.

Goals are set together and steps toward them are checked in each session. Sessions may sometimes include brief tasks to try between meetings. Shannon encourages straightforward, honest conversation in sessions so progress is clear.

She adapts methods to match what actually helps each family or caregiver rather than following a single formula. People who meet with her can expect a calm, down-to-earth process focused on usable skills and steady progress. The work aims to reduce overwhelm and build routines that fit a busy family life.

Client-centered care online for parents and caregivers

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely and responding to each person as an individual. In practice this means sessions begin with the therapist asking about what matters most to the client and then shaping goals and steps that fit family life. This approach can help with stress, parenting struggles, anxiety, and changes at work or home.

Shannon pairs that listening stance with practical problem solving. Together the client and therapist decide which strategies to try and when to adjust the plan. That collaborative process helps make sure the approach matches the client's needs, goals, and personal preferences rather than following a fixed method.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around school runs, work, or childcare and let parents choose the way they communicate best. The variety of formats supports ongoing contact and flexible follow-up between meetings when needed.

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 concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, relationship and family issues, career questions, ADHD, anger, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue among other related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like in sessions?
Her main approach is client-centered therapy, which means she listens first and shapes sessions around each person. She focuses on practical next steps and sets goals together with the client.
What experience does she bring to family and parenting work?
She has eight years of clinical experience and has worked extensively with young adults and people with developmental differences, including autism spectrum presentations and ADHD.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in North Carolina as an LCMHC with license number NC LCMHC 10731.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients attend sessions?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy caregivers.
How do I begin working with her and what does it cost?
To start, use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to therapist availability. Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
8 years
Licensed
North Carolina
Languages
English

Next step

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