Meet Shannon Gonter Professional Counselor
/Below is a transcript of an interview with Shannon Gonter, LPCC owner and therapist with Therapy by Shannon, LLC.
Interviewer: What is your educational journey?
Shannon:
I attended Florida State University for my undergraduate education and graduated in 2013. I then moved to Louisville to pursue a masters degree from University of Louisville in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I graduated from U of L in 2016 and am now a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in the state of Kentucky.
To further my education after graduate school, I enrolled in a yearlong certificate program in advanced psychotherapy through the Wayne Institute at Bellarmine University. It was there that I deepened my clinical skills and knowledge in understanding the psyche and how one becomes their most authentic self.
Though I am not currently enrolled in classes, the learning never stops. I am committed to keeping up to date with the most recent research findings, articles, and allowing mine and others lived experiences to shape and mold the lens I see the world through. All in order to live my best life and provide the best care for my clients.
Interviewer: What led you to this profession?
Shannon:
Many things, but I would say my lived experiences had the strongest influence on becoming a mental health counselor. Similar to many families, my family is not immune to mental health concerns. I have dealt with this “emotional baggage” for the better part of my life, which allows me to understand that it is anything but that. Through my secondhand experiences of living with people who are dealing with these struggles, my firsthand experiences with mental health professionals via individual and family counseling sessions, and throughout my educational journey I have seen how complex humans and these situations can be.
These experiences guided me from my original path of elementary education to mental health counseling so i could funnel my personality, passions, lived experiences, and education into normalizing mental health and compassionately assisting others in navigating this tricky thing we all call life.
Interviewer: What services do you provide to the community?
Shannon:
I provide individual mental health counseling services to individuals who are 18 years or older.
Interviewer: Do you specialize in working with a specific population?
Shannon:
I do. I typically work with individuals between the ages of 18-35.
Interviewer: Do you specialize in working with a certain set of concerns?
Shannon:
I work with a wide range of presenting concerns ranging from low self-esteem to depression and everywhere in-between. But I would say some of the most common items focused on in sessions are anxiety, perfection and difficulties identifying, navigating or articulating uncomfortable emotions.
Interviewer: Why do people come see you?
Shannon:
I work with a variety of different people but the majority of the individuals who come to see me have had a previous experience with counseling in their past and are looking to reestablish a relationship with a new counselor for various reasons.
They may be in a space where they feel like they are out of control. Maybe on the inside there are parts of them that feel inauthentic, unmanageable and at times unbearable but on the outside, they are pretty good at “keeping it together”.
They might feel stuck, overwhelmed and lost and are experiencing physical, mental, and/or emotional symptoms that are interfering with their relationships or professional lives.
They no longer want to feel disconnected from themselves or their loved ones and are in search of confidence, connection, understanding and the permission to be who they are, not who the world has told them to be.
Interviewer: When do you see clients?
Shannon:
I see clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have morning, afternoon and evening availability.
Interviewer: How frequent do you see your clients?
Shannon:
In the beginning I see my clients on a weekly basis. Further into treatment some of my client’s transition to bi-weekly sessions. This does vary since each client of course presents with a unique set of needs. So, I allow for flexibility all while keeping their needs and therapeutic goals of the client in mind.
Interviewer: How long do you see clients for?
Shannon:
In regard to session length, the initial intake session is 90 minutes long, and every session after that is 50 minutes from start to finish.
The overall therapeutic process varies from person to person. Many presenting concerns can be dealt with in a brief period of time, but this is not always the case. A majority of my clients remain in counseling for approximately a year or more. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to determine how long counseling will take.
During the therapeutic process, I frequently check in with my client’s progress towards their stated goals and continually evaluate their needs for counseling.
My goal as someone’s counselor is to ultimately help them reach a point where they don’t need counseling anymore. They may still have personal work to do (we all do), but they will have learned the skills needed to act as their own therapist over time.
Interviewer: Do you do online sessions?
Shannon:
I do tele-mental health sessions with existing clients that I have established a face to face relationship with in the office.
Interviewer: What does working with you look like?
Shannon:
In my first session with clients I provide them with a sense of what counseling will involve and will ask the more than usual amount of questions in order to collect significant history and information on the presenting concern. I then use the following three sessions to evaluate and ensure that we will be an appropriate match and then the client and I will collaboratively decide to continue working together. Throughout the following sessions the client and I will continue to build rapport and work together on reaching their self-stated goals.
I always like to mention that when entering counseling it is important to keep in mind that there are no guarantees of what you will experience. There are both benefits and risks while participating in it. Counseling may improve your ability to relate with others, provide a clearer understanding of yourself, your values, and your goals. But counseling also involves discussing the unpleasant parts of your life, so you may also experience uncomfortable feelings throughout the process.
In order to give you a better idea though, let’s chat! Feel free to contact me for a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if I would be the best counselor to assist you in reaching your goals.
Interviewer: How do your clients pay for your services?
Shannon:
I accept cash, check, debit/credit card, and HSA/FSA.
I am an “out-of-network” provider with insurance companies. This means my clients are responsible for paying for their sessions up front and after submitting documentation (superbill) to their insurance company they may be illegible for partial or full reimbursement. It is recommended to check with your insurance provider on this to be sure of your specific benefits. Learn more about “out-of-network” benefits here.
Interviewer: What are your hobbies?
Shannon:
I ENJOY…
Being active (yoga, walking, hiking, skiing, kayaking…)
Spending time with my family and friends
Binge watching the latest TV shows
Trying all the wonderful restaurants Louisville has to offer
And laughing, in all capacities
Interviewer: What is one thing everyone must know about you?
Shannon:
Ah! Just one thing. Uhhm. I have been sky diving, bungee jumping and am a bit of a thrill seeker. On the lookout for my next adventure!
Interviewer: How can people connect with you if they are interested in learning more about you?
Shannon:
If people want to get in touch with me they can call, text or email. My email is info@therapybyshannon.com, my phone number is 502-413-2137 and my website is www.therapybyshannon.com
Links:
The mental health and wellness professionals that practice out of b.mindful Louisville are skilled in what they do. Each specializing in their own area and caring for their clients in their own unique way.
If you need help finding the best human helper to meet your specific needs, email us for one-on-one assistance.
*The information and resources contained on this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. The use of this website does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. Furthermore, the information obtained from this site should not be considered a substitute for a thorough medical and/or mental health evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.