Profile / United States
Patrick Shanahan, LCSW
Missouri
LCSW - Relationships and Addiction
See online therapy options- CBT based techniques
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Family and communication work
About Patrick
Patrick Shanahan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Missouri with 44 years of practice. He helps people facing relationship strain, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, and problems with addiction and intimacy.
He starts from the idea that people tend to be self-correcting but can get stuck. He works in a straightforward way to notice the habits and thought patterns that keep people stuck and then tries different, practical ways to change them. He pays attention to a person's values to help find direction and workable solutions.
Early in his career he created and ran an outpatient clinic for a runaway and homeless youth shelter. For 18 years he provided case management, individual and family therapy, and community-based work. During that time he trained and supervised staff and graduate students and partnered with a university on research to refine the clinic's therapy model.
His methods include cognitive behavioral techniques, problem-solving and structural approaches to family concerns, brief family therapy, communication-focused work, addiction therapies, and hypnotherapy. He also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-based ideas when those fit the issue at hand.
He has experience in managed care settings providing phone therapy and crisis intervention, and in outpatient office practice. He has studied comparative religions and cultures to better work with a wide range of values and backgrounds.
People who want clear, goal-focused sessions that identify unhelpful thoughts, test new behaviors, and track progress may find his style practical and direct. Prospective clients can review the online options and match to his practice to start a first session.
How his approaches translate to online work
CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It uses structured exercises and homework to change how someone thinks and acts, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches noticing thoughts without getting ruled by them and choosing actions tied to personal values, often useful for coping and motivation. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relationship patterns and how early bonds affect current interactions, which can be helpful for intimacy and family communication issues.Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will review a client's goals, preferences, and the presenting problems and then suggest which methods to try. Clients and the therapist decide together which tools to prioritize and how to measure progress over time.
The practical benefits of online sessions are fitting therapy into everyday life and reducing travel time. Because the biography did not list specific formats, confirm which session formats are offered before booking. Online work can make regular check-ins easier to schedule and allow focused, structured exercises during a standard session length without needing to be in an office.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
44+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with relationship issues, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, trauma and intimacy concerns among other life challenges.
How would he describe his therapeutic style?
His style is practical and goal-focused, noticing unhelpful thoughts and habits and trying different ways of responding using established therapeutic methods.
What is his professional background?
He has 44 years of clinical experience including running an outpatient clinic for a youth shelter, supervising staff and students, university-linked research, managed care work, and outpatient practice.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Missouri and provides services from that location.
Does he offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.