Shannon Flaherty Gibbons, LCSW

Shannon Flaherty Gibbons is a licensed clinical social worker with 26 years of professional experience in California. She focuses on helping people manage stress and anxiety, build self-esteem, and find motivation. Her approach centers on creating an open, nonjudgmental space where clients can talk through difficult thoughts and feelings. She frames therapy as a collaborative process and supports people taking the first steps toward change.

With a long career in social work, Shannon draws from several evidence-informed methods to meet real-life needs. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and shift unhelpful thinking patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy supports clients in clarifying values and taking small, meaningful actions. Attachment-Based techniques are used when relationship wounds and connection issues are part of the challenge.

In sessions she keeps language simple and practical. She helps clients set small goals and practice new skills between meetings. Conversation is direct but warm, focused on everyday problems like parenting strain, relationship conflict, caregiving stress, and coping with illness or loss.

Shannon also assists people facing issues such as abandonment, chronic pain, eating-related struggles, fertility concerns, and aging or caregiver stress. Her work often includes communication skills and strategies for managing difficult emotions.

Sessions are offered in English to people located in California. She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging so people can choose what fits their life and schedule.

Evidence-informed approaches applied online

Shannon commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and behaving. CBT is often useful for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns because it breaks problems into small, changeable steps.

She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed action even when difficult emotions are present. ACT can help when stress or uncertainty gets in the way of living the life someone values.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shannon works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences. She adapts techniques over time based on what helps most in day-to-day life.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video is helpful for deeper conversations and skill practice. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging let people send updates, try brief coping strategies, or check in between longer meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and different routines.