Shannon Pena

Shannon Pena is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina. She focuses on helping young adults navigate common life stressors and practical challenges. Her work often addresses anxiety, ADHD, career questions, and the everyday pressures of parenting and workplace stress.

Shannon draws on a person-centered way of working that puts the client's needs first. She listens for each person’s goals and adapts the approach to fit their situation. Sessions often include setting clear goals and checking progress from week to week. Occasionally she may suggest short exercises or homework to practice skills between meetings.

Her background includes eight years of clinical experience with people who have developmental differences, including autism and intellectual disability. She has also supported people through adjustment concerns, vocational and employment issues, behavioral challenges, and emotional or social difficulties. Much of her caseload has involved young adults, though she has experience across age groups.

In sessions Shannon aims for practical, down-to-earth conversations. She encourages open and honest sharing and focuses on what will move a person forward. The plan in therapy is collaborative and adjusts as needs change.

People who want straightforward guidance on coping skills, day-to-day functioning, or career and school transitions may find her style well suited to their needs.

How Client-Centered Work Fits Online

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely and responding to each person without imposing a fixed plan. In practice that means the therapist reflects what you say, asks questions to clarify needs, and helps you set attainable goals. This approach is helpful for anxiety, self-esteem, life transitions, and day-to-day coping.

Shannon also takes an integrative stance, adapting methods to suit the person in front of her. That could mean adding practical skill-building for workplace or vocational concerns, or using brief exercises to manage stress and ADHD symptoms. The choice of technique is collaborative and based on the client’s priorities and progress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with you about what feels useful and adjust methods over time. That collaboration helps shape goals, homework tasks, and session focus so therapy stays relevant to your life.

The biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find online work helpful because it can fit around school, work, and caregiving, reduce travel time, and make it easier to keep regular appointments. Practical benefits include shorter check-ins when needed, flexibility for scheduling, and the ability to continue momentum between in-person visits when that is helpful.