Shannon Schaeffer, LMHC

Shannon Schaeffer is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Iowa who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, and depression. She also focuses on aging and geriatric issues and related concerns like chronic illness, isolation, and life purpose. Shannon aims to make the first step easier for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

She creates a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through difficult feelings. Shannon listens for what matters most to each person and works at a pace that feels manageable. Her style blends practical skills with space to reflect on deeper patterns.

Shannon draws from several approaches to tailor care to individual needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps uncover unhelpful thoughts and build new habits. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports identifying values and taking small actions aligned with them. Mindfulness practices are used to slow down intense feelings and bring attention back to the present.

With ten years of experience, Shannon has supported people through grief, mood changes, substance concerns, and life transitions such as divorce and midlife reevaluation. She pays attention to how physical health and chronic pain affect mood and daily functioning. Her approach also considers issues like codependency, control struggles, and shame.

Sessions are offered in English and take place according to the booking process on the site. To begin, use the Start Therapy button and complete the brief matching questionnaire to schedule based on availability.

How her approaches inform online therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people name what matters to them and take small actions toward those values, even when strong emotions get in the way. It can be useful for anxiety, low motivation, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It often helps with depression and anxiety. Mindfulness Therapy teaches short practices to notice thoughts and sensations without getting swept away, which can ease rumination and overwhelm.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shannon will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then try strategies that fit their situation. If something does not feel helpful, she will adjust the plan together with the client.

The original biography does not specify which online formats are used, so confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find that learning CBT skills or practicing ACT exercises and mindfulness between sessions fits well into everyday routines and supports steady progress.