Meet Shannon McFauls, LMHC

Hi!! I'm Shannon, a married mother of two and a total counseling nerd. 🤓
I consider myself lucky to work as a therapist, as I am truly fascinated by psychology and how human beings connect with each other.

I graduated from the University of North Florida with my Masters of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2012 and went on to work in community mental health with children and families, in emergency rooms and inpatient psychiatric units, and now in private practice. Currently, I am employed in a group practice with the benefit of multiple psychiatrists, physician’s assistants, and fellow therapists who serve ages 3 and up. Monday through Thursday I get to serve a fantastic community in Northeast Florida that includes individuals and families from a range of backgrounds and with a wide variety of presenting problems. Expanding the depth and breadth of my skills as a counselor as I hear the stories of such a variety of people is one of the best parts of this job. On Fridays, I am concentrating on my passion for working with adult clients recovering from childhood trauma and families trying to break the cycle of multi-generational family dysfunction and abuse.

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. Aside from the most popular quotes, here are a few that stand out to me now:

• "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

• “Harry, suffering like this...is part of being human. The fact that you can feel pain like this is your greatest strength.” – Albus Dumbledore

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

• “Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.”
  – Albus Dumbledore

• “Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect.” – Luna Lovegood

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

  Looking forward to hearing your story!