Shannon Brady
I bring a diverse clinical background that includes work in child welfare, family therapy, trauma-informed care, and supporting survivors of sexual and physical assault. I earned my Master of Social Work degree from Widener University and completed 3,200 hours of clinically supervised experience toward earning my LCSW license. My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in evidence-based practices. I regularly incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help clients build coping skills. My style in working with clients is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and practical. I focus on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and respected while also gently challenging patterns, thoughts, or behaviors that may be keeping them stuck.
First session
In your first session, you can expect a relaxed, supportive conversation where we’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you hope to gain from our work together. We’ll begin identifying your goals, discuss what approach may work best for you, and make sure you feel comfortable, heard, and involved in the direction
Strengths
My approach stands out because I believe therapy should feel both supportive and practical. I create a space where clients can feel heard, understood, and comfortable being themselves while also working toward meaningful change. I take a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and tailor treatment to each client rather than using a one-size-fits-all method. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT skills, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and trauma-focused interventions while keeping therapy grounded, relatable, and collaborative. I also recognize that individual struggles often affect relationships and family systems, so when appropriate, I incorporate a broader family perspective into treatment. My goal is to help clients better understand themselves, identify patterns that may be keeping them stuck, build practical coping skills, and feel more confident navigating life’s challenges.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may appear strong and capable on the outside but feels overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally exhausted, or stuck beneath the surface. They may be navigating trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, family stress, major life transitions, depression, or patterns of people-pleasing and self-doubt. I often work well with clients who are insightful and motivated for change but may not yet know how to move forward. They may understand that something is not working in their life, relationships, or emotional patterns and want support identifying the root of those struggles. My ideal client is looking for more than simply getting through the day. They want to better understand themselves, develop healthier coping skills, improve communication and relationships, set boundaries, process painful experiences, and feel more confident and emotionally grounded. Whether working with an adolescent, adult, couple, or family, my goal is to help clients create meaningful, lasting change while feeling supported throughout the process.
Origin story
From a young age, I have always been deeply curious about the human psyche and the experiences that shape who we become. I found myself drawn to understanding emotions, relationships, and the ways people cope with difficult circumstances. My own personal experiences with grief and trauma deepened that curiosity and ultimately helped guide me toward becoming a therapist. Those experiences gave me a greater appreciation for how profoundly loss and trauma can affect not only an individual, but an entire family system. They also showed me the importance of having a safe, compassionate space to process painful experiences and begin healing. As my career developed, I became especially passionate about working with individuals and families navigating grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Today, this work allows me to combine my lifelong interest in human behavior with my commitment to helping people better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and move forward after difficult experiences.
Ongoing work together
Clients will know they are making progress through both measurable changes in symptoms and meaningful improvements in their daily lives. I use evidence-based assessment tools, including the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, to help track symptoms of depression and anxiety over time and provide objective data that can be reviewed throughout treatment. Progress may also look like feeling less overwhelmed, recovering more quickly from difficult moments, communicating more effectively, setting healthier boundaries, improving relationships, or using coping skills more consistently. Clients may begin to notice changes in how they think about themselves, respond to stress, and navigate situations that once felt unmanageable. Treatment goals are reviewed collaboratively so clients can see where they started, recognize growth, and identify areas that still need attention. Progress is individualized and does not always happen in a straight line, but therapy should provide clear signs that clients are developing greater insight, resilience, confidence, and emotional stability.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we explore unhelpful thought patterns, negative self-talk, and beliefs that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or difficulty coping with stress. CBT allows clients to develop greater awareness of these patterns and learn practical strategies to challenge and reframe thoughts in a more balanced and realistic way. I also incorporate behavioral techniques to help clients gradually make changes in their routines, responses, and coping habits. My use of CBT is collaborative and individualized. Rather than simply telling clients to “think differently,” I help them understand where patterns come from, recognize when they are showing up, and practice healthier responses that can be applied outside of the therapy room.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions2300 Pennsylvania Ave, Wilmington, DE 19806
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Licensed in
- DelawareLicense Q1-0012966