PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

ST Portrait of Shannon Julianne Toy
Online therapist

Shannon Julianne Toy

Practical, value-focused therapy for everyday family stress

Credentials
MD, LCSW-C, LCSW
Experience
7 years
Licensed in
Virginia, Maryland, Michigan
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Shannon

Shannon Julianne Toy is a licensed clinician based in Michigan who offers practical support for common life stresses. She focuses on everyday problems like anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, relationship strain, grief, and coping with life changes. Shannon uses straightforward language and a collaborative style to help people find workable steps forward.

She trained and practices with multiple approaches that fit different needs. Shannon draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - which helps people act on values even with difficult feelings - and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and change unhelpful thinking patterns.

Background and approach

She also uses client-centered and narrative ideas to help people feel heard and to reframe difficult stories. Across seven years of professional experience she has worked in a variety of settings and with a wide range of concerns. Her background includes crisis work and community-based roles, which shaped a hands-on problem-solving approach.

She also brings experience with eating and mood disorders, ADHD, trauma, intimacy and identity issues, and family-related stresses. In sessions she aims for clear goals and small experiments you can try between appointments. The work is collaborative - Shannon helps set priorities and adjusts methods based on what is proving useful.

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules. Shannon holds MD, LCSW-C, and LCSW credentials and practices in Michigan. Sessions are conducted in English and use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck and then take actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and when life changes make decision-making hard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches skills to identify and change patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going, which is helpful for worry, mood issues, and some eating concerns. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and working at the client's pace to build trust and clarity.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Shannon meets clients where they are, discusses goals, and tries methods that match their needs and preferences. She adjusts the plan based on what is helpful, so the approach can shift as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let therapists and clients see nonverbal cues while keeping sessions convenient. Phone sessions can be simpler for busy days, and live chat or text-based messaging give options for shorter check-ins or ongoing support between meetings. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into family schedules and daily life.

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.

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.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Shannon address?
She works with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating and body image problems, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, relationship and intimacy concerns, ADHD, and related challenges.
What is Shannon's therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and solution-oriented. She blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centered and narrative techniques to set clear goals and practical steps.
How much experience does she have?
Shannon has seven years of professional experience that include crisis work and community-based roles. That background informs a practical, hands-on approach to problems.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds MD, LCSW-C 27505, and LCSW credentials and practices in Michigan.
Can sessions be held in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Shannon offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Shannon?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Shannon

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point