Shannon_McNeil

Shannon McNeil

Therapist | Ballston, Virginia
Visit Type:
In Person, Virtual

Here to Help You Heal 

If you're carrying the heavy weight of grief and loss, or feel trapped in painful, cyclical relational patterns that leave you exhausted and isolated, you may be looking for a deeply safe, non-judgmental space to unpack complex family systems, untangle old survival strategies, and make sense of what you're experiencing. Your core goals may be to stop fighting your internal world, step off autopilot to choose how you respond, and learn to navigate hard moments while building a life that feels genuinely your own. 

As a Resident in Counseling with seven years of experience, I specialize in bereavement and complicated relational systems for adolescents and adults ages 14 and up. Together, we'll navigate profound grief, loss, and family dynamics, building your capacity to adapt, bend, and move forward even when things hurt. 

I believe in meeting people right where they are, with radical authenticity and deep respect for their unique story. That's what allows me to be a steady, transparent, and collaborative partner on your healing journey. I look forward to helping you rediscover your agency, navigate life's hardest transitions, and build a truly meaningful life together. 

 

My Approach to Care 

I bring a relational, experiential, and compassionate lens to our work together while remaining warm and engaged. Helping you cultivate emotional acceptance and a willingness to be with your internal world is something I care deeply about, because it allows you to accept your whole self, heal old relational patterns, and build a wonderful life even in the wake of profound pain. 

You can expect a grounded, collaborative, and fully customized environment in our sessions together. I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) to help you step out of painful relational cycles and move from a posture of defense and avoidance to active, values-led engagement with life.  

Behind the scenes, the FAP lens means we won't just talk about your life outside the room; we'll pay attention to what happens in the therapy space in real time, exploring how your everyday habits and patterns show up in our relationship so we can practice new, more fulfilling ways of connecting right here and now. 

 

A Journey into Exceptional Patient Care 

My path to becoming a therapist began with navigating deep loss, extended anticipatory grief, and family trauma and complexity, paired with years of working with middle and high schoolers and their families. These experiences fueled my commitment to providing a space where you can finally be truly seen, and where you can separate yourself from your trauma and the stories of your family of origin. I bring deep curiosity to each session, helping you understand your mind, practice living out your values, and roll with the constant change of becoming the person you want to be. 

 

Personal Interests 

When I’m not seeing patients, I love cycling, strength training, and Pilates to stay active. I also enjoy cooking, interior design, reading, and caring for my plants. 

 

Start feeling like yourself again

Get care that's right for you, today.