individual & family THERAPIST for unhealthy relationships
IN jacksonville, fl & st. marys, ga

Bring joy, safety and connection
back into your home.

shannon mcfauls, lmhc, lpc, qs

You're here because you’re done having the same fight, different day.

You're tired of feeling like relationships are impossible and getting hurt every time you try to open up to someone, exhausted from taking care of everyone around you while you feel unseen, disgusted by the same toxic patterns of the past ruining the present.

Because you know that connection with others is something you can’t live without, you’re ready to finally figure out how to balance taking good care of yourself with securely relating to others.

You’re in the right spot.

I help my clients find the balance between connection and protection, equipping them with the tools to be vulnerable, communicate safely, and understand both their own needs and the needs of others.

Many of today’s solutions for burnout and conflict are surface-level, leading so many to feel like therapy doesn’t change anything. I know that these circumstances didn’t develop overnight and won’t be solved by handouts on “challenging your thoughts” or “deep breathing” alone.

First, we will explore the present-day symptoms (like conflict, depression, anxiety, anger) AND the root causes (like negative core beliefs from past experiences, trauma stuck in your nervous system, skills you were never taught) that are causing the overwhelm and disconnection in your relationships. Then, we will collaborate on a plan, pulling together the tools that will be most effective for you. Together, we will get you unstuck by strengthening the supports, reprogramming the weaknesses, transforming traumatic stories into resilient ones.

A woman with long dark hair, glasses, and a light brown cardigan sitting on a cream-colored sofa in a well-lit room with large windows and a tall green plant in the background.

I’m here to help with all of life’s relationships.

A woman and a young girl sitting at a table, holding hands, in a bright room with large windows, engaging in a caring conversation.
A young woman hugging an elderly woman outdoors with trees in the background, both smiling and sharing a moment of joy.
Group of friends sitting on the sand at the beach during sunset, enjoying drinks and conversation.
  • Romantic partners

  • Parents & siblings

  • Children & Step-children

  • Extended family

  • Coworkers & bosses

  • Friends

How I work

At the core of my approach to therapy is a belief that you are always in the driver’s seat.

You decide where we are going and how fast (or slow) we go. My role is to be your navigator in the passenger seat. I've got a map and I've been on journeys like this before. I will help you figure out how to get wherever you need to be and be with you along the way. You don't have to be stuck and you don't have to face it alone.

This metaphor about who is in control of therapy is a key part of why my clients get results. When I provide guidance without insisting on a particular method or goal that I may have in mind, you move through your therapeutic journey in your own unique way at the best pace for your particular needs. I have the knowledge and experience to guide you towards effective options, but ultimately, it is through your own hard work and perseverance that you will transform your life and relationships.

Often I encounter people who have only known self-doubt and distrust of others because of the ways they have been hurt. If I were to be in the driver's seat, dictating your journey, I would just be another person in your life undermining and disempowering you. By providing you a safe space to explore, you discover how capable you really are. You’ll learn how to listen to your true Self, meet your needs, and connect with others in a way that balances vulnerability and protection. Our relationship is the training ground for how your relationships will transform into satisfying and secure connections..

Therapy with me is

Collaborative

Action and change oriented

Warm and safe enough to laugh, cry, scream

Affirming of individuality and diversity

Therapy with me is not

One-sided conversations or “just someone to listen”

Dredging up painful emotions with no resolution

Lessons, protocols, and worksheets

“One-size-fits-all” or predetermined goals for what is “healthy” or “right”

Two people holding hands, one with a striped shirt and the other with dark painted nails, in a warm, softly lit environment.
A happy family of three lying on a bed, smiling and looking relaxed.
  • I’m trained in a variety of therapy methods, allowing me to tailor my approach to your unique goals and needs. These include:

    • Accelerated Resolution Therapy (similar to EMDR)

    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy

    • Attachment Theory

    • Family Systems Theory

    • Conscious Discipline

    • Mindfulness, Somatic, and Sensory Work

    • Interpersonal Neurobiology and Polyvagal Theory

    • Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in History and Religion

    • Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor

    • Florida Qualified Supervisor for MHC Interns

    • Georgia Licensed Professional Counselor

A woman and a young girl sit across from each other at a wooden table, engaging in a playful, face-to-face conversation with playful wooden toys and figures on the table.
A young girl playing a tower game with wooden blocks, some blocks labeled with words like 'depression' and 'kindness'.

Who am I outside of the office?

I would describe myself as an intellectual/nerd 🤓, a married mother of two, and an introvert who revels in creature comforts and simple pleasures like a great book or conversation. I consider myself lucky to work as a therapist, as I am truly fascinated by psychology and how human beings connect with each other. For the last twenty years of my life, I have been dedicated to understanding what makes us tick and how we can thrive. Hearing each individual’s story and getting to understand further depths of humanity is an honor.

When I am not working, my favorite time is spent with my husband and children, cozy at home, or with our extended family enjoying simple things, like grilling out by the pool.
I am a huge Harry Potter fan, including decorating my office with HP artwork, complete with my Hogwarts Castle bookends and a ticket for the Hogwarts Express as my desk pad. I don't think it is a coincidence how much I have connected with the Harry Potter series since I was a child and the passion I have grown for helping people work through their trauma. Here are a few quotes that stand out to me in this line of work.

"Of course, it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?"

Albus Dumbledore

"Thoughts could leave deeper scars than almost anything else.”

Madam Pomfrey

“Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”

Albus Dumbledore

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.”

Albus Dumbledore

"No good sittin’ worryin’ abou’ it. What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does."

Hagrid

“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.”

Albus Dumbledore

Ready to get started?

Let's rekindle the magic.
Your family is worth it.

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