Shannan matthews-cunningham, ms, cdci
Shannan has worked in the mental health field for eight years and proudly completed her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix in December 2024. She is currently working toward professional licensure while continuing to support individuals navigating mental health concerns, substance use, trauma, and suicidality.
Her passion for this work is rooted in the belief that people deserve to feel seen, supported, and understood during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. She has a particular passion for working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns, trauma, and suicidal thoughts, as well as advocating for greater suicide awareness, education, and prevention.
Shannan takes a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes emotional safety, trust, collaboration, and each individual’s right to choice in their healing process. She recognizes that past experiences can shape how people see themselves, relate to others, and cope with distress. She respects each person’s pace and works collaboratively to support healing without pressure to share or process experiences before they feel ready.
Her clinical training includes Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Brainspotting Phases 1 and 2, and Digging Roots. These approaches help her support individuals in exploring the connections between their experiences, emotions, beliefs, and patterns of coping. She recognizes that many coping patterns began as ways to survive painful experiences and approaches this work with compassion, curiosity, and respect.
At the heart of Shannan’s work is the belief that healing begins with a relationship in which people feel safe enough to be themselves. She strives to create space for the parts of a person’s story that may have been silenced, misunderstood, or carried alone. Her goal is to help individuals build trust in themselves, recognize their strengths, and discover that they are worthy of care and connection, even when they struggle to believe it.
Throughout her journey, Shannan has witnessed powerful transformations both professionally and personally. Seeing people move from pain, hopelessness, and uncertainty toward healing and meaningful change has strengthened her belief that recovery is possible. She believes that a person’s most difficult experiences do not have to define the rest of their story.
Her personal mission is to make a meaningful difference in even one person’s life, knowing that change can create a ripple effect that reaches families, relationships, and communities. She supports individuals in developing healthier ways of coping, reconnecting with hope, and building a life that feels meaningful to them. She recognizes that progress can begin with small steps and that having someone walk alongside them can make those steps feel possible.
Outside of work, Shannan values spending time with her family, traveling, and enjoying time with her dog, Aspen. These moments of connection remind her of the importance of balance, relationships, and finding meaning in everyday life.