Patrick Shanahan , LCSW

Patrick Shanahan approaches therapy from the belief that people are fundamentally self-correcting, drawing on the teachings of Carl Jung and Milton Erickson to guide that perspective. He sees treatment as helping individuals move past blocks that keep them from healthier patterns, with a strong emphasis on personal values as a compass for direction and solutions. His training in comparative religions and cultures informs his work with people from diverse backgrounds and value systems, and he has practiced in a variety of settings that exposed him to many cultural perspectives.

Patrick built his early career by creating and running an outpatient clinic within a runaway and homeless youth shelter, a role he held for his first 18 years in the field. In that capacity he provided case management as well as individual and family therapy both at the shelter and in community settings. His clinical repertoire includes brief family therapy, problem-solving strategies, structural and strategic systems theory, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral approaches, communication theory, and addiction therapies. He also trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students and collaborated with a local university on research to refine the clinic's therapeutic model.

During his professional development he completed 29 hours toward a Ph.D. in family therapy and was offered a fellowship with Washington University's Ph.D. program. He has provided professional Christian therapy through part-time work with New Life Christian Counseling, and he later spent 18 years working in managed care assisting members with mental health benefits while offering phone-based therapy and crisis intervention. He continues to work in outpatient office settings and identifies his current greatest strength as working with individuals and couples. Patrick holds an LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, and brings 44 years of experience to his practice in Missouri.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Patrick Shanahan combines well-established therapeutic methods to address relationship, mood, and stress-related concerns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice and accept uncomfortable thoughts or feelings while focusing on actions that align with personal values - it is useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current connections and emotional responses - it is often helpful for intimacy issues, family conflicts, and relationship healing. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns - it is effective for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Patrick works collaboratively with each person to determine what methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. He tailors interventions and adjusts strategies as the work unfolds so clients and therapist choose what helps most.

Online sessions offer flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule consistent therapy around work, family, or caregiving responsibilities and allow ongoing support even when in-person visits are not possible. Licensed professionals can provide meaningful therapeutic work through these formats, supporting progress in ways that fit into a client's daily life.