Online in Washington
(Online Only)
Hi, I’m Ryan. I became a therapist because I know how powerful it can be to have someone genuinely in your corner. Someone who sees the good in you when you’re struggling to see it yourself, who stays grounded when life feels overwhelming, and who believes that your current circumstances do not have to define your future.
I believe people are capable of meaningful change, even after years of feeling stuck, lonely, anxious, disconnected, or shaped by painful experiences. Sometimes we simply need a relationship in which we feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and gently challenged enough to begin doing things differently. I hope to offer that kind of relationship to my clients.
My path to becoming a therapist has not been entirely conventional. I grew up in Bellingham, Washington, earned degrees abroad in Italy and Spain, and previously worked as both a marketer and a psychometrist before entering the counseling profession. Living in different countries and moving through several professional worlds taught me to be curious about people. Their stories, cultures, relationships, contradictions, and the experiences that shape how they see themselves.
In therapy, I want to know the person behind the symptoms. I want to understand what you long for, what keeps getting in the way, what you learned about yourself growing up, and who you might become if fear, shame, trauma, or self-doubt were no longer making so many of your decisions.
You do not need to arrive with the perfect explanation for what is wrong. You may simply know that you feel lonely, overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself, haunted by the past, or tired of repeating the same relationship patterns. You may be outwardly successful while privately feeling insecure or lost. You may want deeper relationships but find yourself withdrawing, avoiding vulnerability, choosing unavailable partners, or questioning whether anyone could truly understand you.
Whatever brings you here, you do not have to perform or pretend with me. I aim to create a space where you can speak honestly. Even about the thoughts, experiences, desires, fears, and parts of yourself that feel difficult to share elsewhere. My style is warm, grounded, direct, and deeply human. I will listen without judgment, but I will not simply nod along with everything you say. When helpful, I will gently challenge the beliefs or patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I believe we can be compassionate toward ourselves while also taking responsibility for creating change.
Therapy with me is both insight-oriented and action-oriented. We will explore how early relationships, childhood experiences, unconscious beliefs, and protective behaviors may still influence your life today. I take an Adlerian and psychodynamic approach, meaning I am interested in the deeper story beneath your current struggles. However, I do not believe your past permanently determines who you are. Awareness gives us choices. Once we understand why a pattern developed and what purpose it once served, we can begin deciding whether it still belongs in the life you want today.
Insight is important, but I also want therapy to extend beyond the hour we spend together. Depending on your goals, I may suggest small behavioral challenges (what I sometimes call “missions”) to help you practice new ways of relating to yourself and others. That might involve initiating an uncomfortable conversation, setting a boundary, reaching out to someone instead of isolating, tolerating the possibility of rejection, making eye contact, expressing a need, or interrupting a pattern of avoidance.
These challenges are collaborative and paced carefully. The goal is not to overwhelm you or push you before you are ready. Instead, we gradually build your capacity to do things that once felt impossible. Little by little, you begin gathering evidence that you can survive discomfort, respond differently, and become more secure in yourself.
I also use evidence-based approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy, or EMDR, as well as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These approaches can be especially helpful when painful memories, traumatic experiences, intrusive thoughts, or deeply rooted negative beliefs continue to affect your relationships and daily life. We can discuss these options together and determine what feels most appropriate for you. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and I want you to understand and feel comfortable with the work we are doing.
Many of the people who feel drawn to my practice are young adults, members of Gen Z and the millennial generation, and people who want to build more meaningful relationships. I often work with men experiencing loneliness, insecurity, relationship difficulties, or questions related to sexual identity. I particularly value working with gay and bisexual men and hope to provide a space where you can explore identity, dating, intimacy, coming out, attachment, and relationship dynamics without having to explain or defend who you are.
I also enjoy working with women navigating attachment concerns, dating patterns, motherhood, single parenthood, major transitions, and the desire to form healthier, more secure relationships. Across identities, I tend to connect well with people who are introspective, curious about themselves, and ready to move toward a life that feels more authentic, even if they are not yet sure how to get there.
My goal is not for therapy to become the only place where you feel known and supported. I want the trust we build together to ripple outward into the rest of your life. Over time, I hope you become more comfortable expressing yourself, navigating conflict, forming close relationships, recovering from setbacks, and allowing others to truly know you. Ultimately, my goal is to help you build a life so full, secure, and meaningful that you no longer need therapy in the same way.
Outside of my work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends. I love being outdoors, walking through neighborhoods and cities, riding my bike, growing food, and working on DIY and home-renovation projects. I also practice Vipassana meditation, although, like many people, not quite as consistently as I would like. These parts of my life help me stay curious, grounded, and connected to the ordinary moments that make life feel meaningful.
Choosing a therapist is deeply personal. Training and therapeutic methods matter, but so does the feeling you have when you speak with someone. You deserve a therapist with whom you can gradually lower your guard and feel more like yourself.
A free consultation is an opportunity for us to talk, for you to ask questions, and for you to get a sense of my personality and approach without pressure. You do not need to commit before knowing whether the connection feels right.
I would be honored to meet you, hear what has been happening in your life, and explore whether I might be the person to walk alongside you as you begin creating something different.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Buddhist, Christian, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LDS/Mormon, LGBTQ+, Men, Middle Eastern, Military / Veterans, Native American, Persons with Disabilities, Sikh, Women clients.
Languages: English, Spanish, Italian
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Adlerian Therapy Focuses on understanding a person’s sense of belonging and purpose. It helps people overcome feelings of inferiority and create healthier relationships.
- Art Therapy Uses creative activities like drawing, painting, or sculpture as a way to express emotions. It is especially helpful when words are hard to find.
- Behavioral Therapy Uses learning techniques like reinforcement and practice to change unwanted behaviors. It is often applied to phobias, anxiety, and habits.
- Biopsychosocial Therapy Takes into account biological, psychological, and social factors in understanding mental health. It looks at the whole person, not just symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Eclectic Therapy Draws from different therapeutic methods based on what fits each client best. It is flexible and personalized rather than following one single model.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Psychosocial Therapy Looks at how social and environmental factors affect psychological health. It emphasizes relationships, community, and resilience.
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Helps clients challenge and replace irrational beliefs. It is an action-oriented approach for lasting change.
- Social Learning Therapy Based on the idea that people learn behaviors by observing others. It applies modeling and reinforcement to encourage healthy change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: My Approach to Therapy
I believe therapy should help you understand yourself, but it should also help you live differently.
Our sessions will give you room to speak freely, make sense of what you are experiencing, and examine parts of your life that may be difficult to discuss elsewhere. At the same time, I will encourage you to turn what we uncover into practical changes outside of therapy. The goal is not simply to become better at explaining your patterns. It is to become more capable of changing them.
A Relationship Where You Can Be Real
I want therapy to feel like one of the few places where you do not have to perform, impress anyone, or carefully edit what you say. You can bring in the thoughts that feel irrational, embarrassing, contradictory, or hard to admit.
I am warm and accepting, but I am also honest. I will not judge you for what you share, and very little is likely to shock me. However, acceptance does not mean automatically agreeing with every conclusion you reach. Sometimes our emotions are completely understandable while the beliefs attached to them are not entirely accurate.
When appropriate, I may offer another interpretation, identify a contradiction, or gently question a story you have been telling yourself. I do this respectfully and collaboratively, not to dismiss your experience, but to help you see it with greater clarity.
Looking Beneath the Surface
I am interested in more than the immediate symptom. Anxiety, avoidance, insecurity, emotional distance, people-pleasing, or repeated relationship difficulties often make more sense when we understand what they are protecting us from.
My work is influenced by Adlerian and psychodynamic therapy. Together, we may explore how your early relationships, family roles, formative experiences, unexpressed emotions, and private beliefs about yourself continue to shape your present life.
As you tell your story, I will listen for themes and connections that may be operating outside your awareness. I will share what I notice and check whether it fits your experience. You remain the expert on your life; my role is to help you recognize patterns that can be difficult to see from inside them.
Your history matters, but it is not a life sentence. Understanding where a pattern came from can give you more freedom to decide whether you still want to carry it.
Practicing Change Between Sessions
Therapy should not exist only during the hour we meet. When appropriate, we will identify concrete ways for you to practice what we discuss.
I sometimes call these exercises “missions.” A mission might involve reaching out instead of withdrawing, expressing something you normally suppress, initiating a difficult conversation, maintaining a boundary, tolerating uncertainty in dating, or doing something small that anxiety has persuaded you to avoid.
These challenges are not designed to throw you into the deep end. We will adjust them to your comfort, readiness, and level of distress. Change often happens through gradual repetition: taking a manageable risk, learning that you can tolerate the discomfort, and then building from there.
Using Effective Clinical Tools
Some concerns benefit from open-ended exploration. Others respond best to a more structured treatment. I integrate evidence-based approaches based on your goals, needs, and preferences.
My training includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based interventions. These approaches may be useful when trauma, intrusive memories, anxiety, avoidance, negative self-beliefs, or emotional reactivity continue to interfere with your life.
I remain committed to improving my clinical skills through continued training, consultation, feedback, and reflection. I do not believe one method works for everyone, so we will regularly discuss what is helping, what is not, and whether our direction needs to change.
Building a Life Beyond Therapy
The connection we form matters, but I do not want therapy to become your only source of closeness or support. Ideally, the safety and honesty you experience in our sessions will begin to carry into your relationships outside of them.
That may mean becoming more open with people you trust, repairing neglected relationships, building community, dating more intentionally, or becoming better able to handle conflict without shutting down or assuming the relationship is over.
Ultimately, my goal is to help you rely more fully on your own judgment, emotional capacity, and relationships. I hope you reach a point where setbacks feel survivable, difficult emotions feel temporary, and old experiences no longer have the same power over your decisions.
Good therapy should eventually make itself less necessary. I want to help you develop the insight, courage, and practical skills to build a meaningful life that continues long after our regular work together has ended.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 140 (Note: Insurance may substantially reduce this, and I have a sliding scale)
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- No Insurance? Struggling Financially? I have sliding scale availability starting at a minimum of $30 per session. Please reach out to see if you're eligible for my sliding scale. I'll work with you to keep therapy affordable.
- Accepts Insurance
- Premera, Blue Cross Blue Shield, LifeWise
Education & Credentials
Ryan Shannon LMHCA, MA, MS
- Male
- License # MHCA.MC.70082181
- Licensed in Washington
- Practicing Since 2025
Education: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MA, Marshall University, 4.0 GPA
Work and Organizational Psychology, MS, University of Seville
Business and Management, BS, University of Turin
Ryan Shannon Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Washington
- Online Therapy Details: I see clients via HIPAA-compliant video
My practice provides online therapy for adults throughout Washington State. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, chronic stress, loneliness, relationship difficulties, attachment concerns, identity questions, and major life transitions. I also support people who feel stuck in repetitive patterns, whether that looks like choosing unhealthy relationships, withdrawing from others, avoiding difficult conversations, struggling with self-worth, or feeling unable to move beyond painful experiences.
My goal is to offer therapy that feels personal, practical, and genuinely useful. I do not believe therapy should feel cold, overly clinical, or disconnected from your everyday life. Sessions are conversational and collaborative, while still being purposeful. We will identify what you want to change, look closely at what may be getting in the way, and develop a realistic path forward.
I work especially well with young adults, Gen Z and millennial clients, men experiencing loneliness or relationship concerns, gay and bisexual men, and people exploring sexuality, identity, dating, intimacy, or coming out. I also work with women navigating attachment difficulties, dating patterns, motherhood, single parenthood, and the challenge of maintaining a sense of self while caring for others.
Trauma treatment is an important part of my practice. I use approaches such as EMDR, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and CBT to help clients process distressing memories, reduce emotional reactivity, challenge negative beliefs, and regain a sense of control. You do not need to have a formal PTSD diagnosis to benefit from trauma-informed therapy. Many clients seek support because past experiences still influence how safe they feel, how they respond in relationships, or what they believe about themselves.
I also enjoy helping clients strengthen their relationships and build greater connection. This may involve developing healthier boundaries, improving communication, becoming more comfortable with vulnerability, working through fear of rejection, or learning how to form secure and lasting relationships. For clients experiencing loneliness or isolation, therapy can become a starting point for building a fuller support system, not a substitute for one.
All appointments are provided through secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions, allowing you to attend therapy from home or another private location. Online therapy can be especially helpful for clients with demanding schedules, limited access to local providers, transportation barriers, or a preference for meeting in a familiar environment.
I accept Premera, LifeWise, and many Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Sliding-scale appointments may also be available for clients who need a lower-cost option. Insurance coverage varies, so benefits are verified before the first appointment whenever possible.
Starting therapy can feel uncomfortable, especially if you are unsure what to say or whether your concerns are “serious enough.” You do not need to be in crisis, have everything figured out, or know exactly what kind of therapy you need. We can start with what is happening now and work from there.
I offer a free consultation so you can ask questions, learn more about the practice, and decide whether it feels like a good fit. There is no pressure to schedule afterward. Sometimes a brief conversation is the easiest way to tell whether you feel comfortable with a therapist.