Shannon Julianne Toy , MD, LCSW-C, LCSW

Shannon Julianne Toy brings a blended clinical and social work background to her practice, combining medical and behavioral health training to support people facing a wide range of life challenges. She holds an MD and is also credentialed as an LCSW-C and an LCSW - designations that indicate advanced clinical social work training and certification to provide psychotherapy. With seven years of professional experience, she works with issues such as stress, anxiety, mood disorders including bipolar and depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family concerns, eating and body image issues, ADHD, and a variety of intimacy and sexual health topics.

Her work also addresses more specific focus areas like attachment and abandonment concerns, adoption and foster care matters, codependency and communication problems, dissociation, domestic violence, and compassion fatigue among caregivers. Shannon uses a strengths-based, client-centered approach that invites people to take an active role in shaping their goals and treatment. She integrates evidence-informed methods to help clients build coping skills, improve self-esteem, and navigate transitions related to career, parenting, and life changes.

Based in Michigan and offering services in English, she emphasizes collaboration and practical strategies tailored to each person s values and priorities. Her aim is to support meaningful, sustainable change while honoring each individual s experience and pace.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shannon draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide her work. ACT helps people clarify their values and accept difficult feelings while taking committed steps toward a meaningful life - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic, nonjudgmental listening and collaboration so the individual s own goals and strengths shape the work - this approach supports self-esteem, relationship concerns, and building trust in therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and practicing concrete skills to change thinking and behavior - it is often applied for anxiety, depression, and coping with everyday challenges.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shannon works with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals and adjusts methods over time so the treatment matches what is most helpful for that individual.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access licensed professionals from home, support continuity of care during life changes, and allow clients to engage in therapy in ways that fit their routine and communication style.