Patrick Shanahan, LCSW
Experienced LCSW focusing on relationships and trauma
- Works with individuals and couples
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Accepting international clients
About Patrick Shanahan
Patrick Shanahan approaches therapy with the conviction that people are generally self-correcting, a perspective informed by the teachings of Carl Jung and Milton Erickson. He helps clients move past the obstacles that keep them stuck by exploring values, strengths, and practical solutions that support healthier direction and decision making. He has studied comparative religions and cultures to work respectfully with a wide range of beliefs and backgrounds, and his clinical experience spans multiple settings and populations.
Shanahan's early career involved creating and running an outpatient clinic within a runaway and homeless youth shelter, where he spent the first 18 years providing case management, individual and family therapy both in the shelter and out in the community. During that time he trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students, collaborated with a local university on research to refine clinical models, and completed 29 hours toward a Ph.D. in family therapy, including being offered a fellowship with Washington University’s Ph.D. program. He later provided professional Christian therapy part time with New Life Christian Counseling and then spent 18 years in managed care supporting members in using mental health benefits while offering phone therapy and crisis intervention. Other roles have included outpatient office practice and a range of community-based services.
Currently an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Shanahan works primarily with individuals and couples and addresses issues such as relationship difficulties, grief, anger, self-esteem, depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family and parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, career and life transitions, compassion fatigue, and related areas. His approach blends brief family therapy, problem-solving strategies, structural and strategic systems ideas, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, communication theory, and addiction-focused work to tailor care to each person’s needs.
Shanahan's early career involved creating and running an outpatient clinic within a runaway and homeless youth shelter, where he spent the first 18 years providing case management, individual and family therapy both in the shelter and out in the community. During that time he trained and supervised paid staff and graduate students, collaborated with a local university on research to refine clinical models, and completed 29 hours toward a Ph.D. in family therapy, including being offered a fellowship with Washington University’s Ph.D. program. He later provided professional Christian therapy part time with New Life Christian Counseling and then spent 18 years in managed care supporting members in using mental health benefits while offering phone therapy and crisis intervention. Other roles have included outpatient office practice and a range of community-based services.
Currently an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Shanahan works primarily with individuals and couples and addresses issues such as relationship difficulties, grief, anger, self-esteem, depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family and parenting concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, career and life transitions, compassion fatigue, and related areas. His approach blends brief family therapy, problem-solving strategies, structural and strategic systems ideas, hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral techniques, communication theory, and addiction-focused work to tailor care to each person’s needs.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Hypnotherapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Patrick Shanahan have?
Patrick Shanahan has 44 years of experience.
Is Patrick Shanahan a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details are MO LCSW 000602.
In which languages does Patrick Shanahan provide therapy?
Patrick Shanahan provides therapy in English.
Where is Patrick Shanahan located?
Patrick Shanahan is located in Missouri.
How can I work with Patrick Shanahan as my therapist?
You can work with Patrick Shanahan through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Patrick Shanahan work with international clients?
Yes, Patrick Shanahan works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Patrick Shanahan cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Patrick Shanahan
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take committed steps toward a meaningful life, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It is often used for issues like anxiety, depression, and stress where shifting behavior toward what matters is a primary goal.
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns of relating and emotional regulation. It can be especially helpful for relationship difficulties, intimacy concerns, and family dynamics by fostering more secure, connected ways of interacting.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, nonjudgmental listening, and supporting the client’s own capacity for growth. This approach is useful for building self-esteem, navigating life transitions, and strengthening coping skills.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Patrick Shanahan works with each person to identify which methods fit their goals, preferences, and circumstances, and adapts techniques over time as needs evolve.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - clients can meet by video call, speak by phone, or use live chat and text-based messaging when schedules or mobility make in-person care difficult. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact with licensed professionals and therapists while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.