Shannon Bettencourt , LMFT

Shannon Bettencourt is a California-licensed therapist with 22 years of professional experience helping people navigate relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem concerns, stress and anxiety, intimacy issues, and major life changes. She holds the credential LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and indicates specialized training in relational and family systems as well as clinical practice.

Shannon approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, viewing each person as the expert of their own life and recognizing the existing resources that can support meaningful change. She works collaboratively with clients to build motivation, increase confidence, and develop practical coping strategies that fit each person’s situation. Her practice also includes focused support for hoarding-related challenges and for people processing loss or transitions.

Seeking change can feel courageous and uncertain, and Shannon emphasizes compassionate guidance and empowerment throughout the therapeutic process. Her goal is to help clients move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life by combining evidence-based therapeutic techniques with respect for each client’s story and personal goals.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Online Care with Shannon Bettencourt

Shannon uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that are tailored to each person's needs. One common focus is skills-based work that helps clients develop practical coping strategies, manage anxiety and stress, and strengthen self-esteem through behavioral and cognitive tools. This approach is useful for people facing everyday challenges, mood concerns, and life transitions.

She also provides trauma-focused work that helps individuals process and make sense of painful experiences in a paced and supportive way, attending to emotional safety while building resilience. For relationship and intimacy issues, Shannon employs relationally focused interventions that explore communication patterns, attachment, and ways to repair or strengthen connections.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Shannon collaborates with each client to determine which techniques best match their goals, preferences, and circumstances. She adjusts methods over time as needs change to ensure the work remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Shannon is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for scheduling, accessibility across locations within her practice area, and options to fit different comfort levels and communication styles. These formats make it easier to engage in regular care while maintaining continuity during life transitions.