Patrick Shanahan, LCSW
Helping people find direction through life changes
Details
| Name | Patrick Shanahan |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | Missouri |
| Licensed in | Missouri |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 44 |
About Patrick
Patrick Shanahan is a licensed clinical social worker with 44 years of practice. He focuses on helping people untangle relationship problems, grief, anger, anxiety, depression, addiction, and stress. He speaks plain language and aims to help people move forward from a stuck place.
Patrick believes people are often self-correcting once obstacles are noticed. He draws on values work and narrative ideas to help clients find direction. His approach pays attention to personal stories and what matters most to each person.
Background and approach
Early in his career he created and ran an outpatient clinic connected to a runaway and homeless youth shelter. He provided case management, individual therapy, and family work in the shelter and in the community for about 18 years. He also trained and supervised staff and graduate students during that period.
He has used a mix of practical methods, including problem-solving, cognitive behavioral techniques, communication work, structural and strategic systems ideas, and addiction therapies. He completed 29 hours toward a Ph.D. in family therapy and was offered a fellowship at Washington University’s Ph.D. program.
After that he spent 18 years working with managed care, helping members use mental health benefits and providing phone-based therapy and crisis intervention. He has also worked in outpatient office settings and provided professional Christian therapy in a community counseling group. Patrick practices in Missouri and conducts sessions in English.
He accepts international clients and offers options that include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Relationship issues, Grief, Anger management among the things Patrick works with, alongside the areas below.
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Hypnotherapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Jungian Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Patrick directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how he works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Patrick directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and evidence-based methods work online
Patrick blends Narrative Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based ideas to help people understand their stories and move toward clearer values. Narrative Therapy helps separate a person from the problems they face by examining the stories that shape thoughts and behavior, which can be useful for relationship patterns, identity, and life changes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that match core values, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds influence present relationships and helps people build more supported ways of relating. Finding the right approach is usually collaborative. Patrick will talk with clients about goals and preferences, try methods that fit the situation, and adjust the mix over time. He encourages clients to test what helps and to focus on steps that feel practical and meaningful. Online sessions offer flexibility for busy schedules and varied needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when rapport and visual cues matter. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in fits the day. Live chat and text-based messaging let clients send brief updates, reflect between sessions, or maintain continuity when life gets hectic. These options make it easier to work therapy into everyday life and to continue care across distances.Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Patrick commonly address?
He works with relationship challenges, grief, anger, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, family issues, trauma, and caregiving stress.
What is his general approach in sessions?
He uses narrative ideas and client-centered work to examine personal stories and values, paired with practical tools like cognitive behavioral techniques and problem solving.
How long has he been practicing?
He brings 44 years of experience in clinical settings, community programs, managed care, and outpatient practice.
What credentials and location are listed?
He is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - practicing in Missouri.
Which languages and international options are supported?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Patrick are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Patrick where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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