Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
Hello! Thank you for considering me as your counselor. Let me give you an overview of my counseling style, education, experience and personal background.
Counseling Style:
My theoretical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I believe our thoughts lead to our emotions and behaviors. Initially, I use worksheets to help you uncover underlying beliefs you have about events or issues that lead to uncomfortable emotions or self-defeating behaviors. I also like to tie in neurobiology to help you understand that we can manipulate the way our brains work to speed up change. I tend to use humor initially to break the ice and normalize behaviors.
Education:
I earned by Masters of Counseling at University of Phoenix in 2002. I also received a Master of Arts in Organizational Management in 2001 at University of Phoenix. I was pursuing my Doctorate in Neuropsychology at Argosy University from 2010 – 2013 but my life plan changed so I decided not to complete the degree. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. I am required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain my license; therefore, I have extensive training in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Posttramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), neuropsychology, depression and anxiety.
Experience:
I started in the mental health field as a Crisis Counselor for the Phoenix Fire Department for four years while I was getting my Masters degrees. After graduation, I became a Crisis Counselor in emergency rooms throughout the Valley for six years. I transitioned into a traditional counselor position specializing in PTSD with police officers, fire fighters, and military personnel. I also really enjoyed working with people in life transitions (careers, school, retirement, marriage, dating, etc.). I became the Director of Psychological Health for the Arizona Army National Guard in 2013 working with soldiers in pre- and post-deployment phases, suicide prevention, PTSD, and military sexual trauma. When that contract ended, I helped open Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital as the Director of Intake & Assessment. I currently work for Arizona’s state crisis system and am in a telecommuting position. I missed individual counseling and am thrilled to be a part of the Better Help team.
Personal Background:
I am a 3rd generation native Arizonan (my mom and grandmother were born and raised in Phoenix which is very rare). I grew up in Flagstaff and moved to Phoenix after graduating from NAU. I decided to pursue a counseling career after my aunt’s experience in the emergency room when my uncle died suddenly and unexpectedly at 46 years old. I knew there was a compassionate way to deliver heartbreaking and life-changing information. I also had a wonderful counselor who helped me recover from PTSD after my brief stint in the military. I have been divorced twice and recently relocated to Phoenix to be closer to family & friends. I have 2 spoiled dachshunds and love to travel and am learning to crochet.
Thank you for taking time to read my bio and I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Shannon Madden is an Arizona-based counselor with 26 years of clinical experience who works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, self-esteem and career difficulties, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, anger, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and life transitions.
Her approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, with practical tools such as worksheets to help uncover the beliefs that shape emotions and behaviors. She also incorporates basic neurobiology to explain how the brain responds to intervention and to accelerate change. Early use of gentle humor helps her normalize reactions and ease the initial conversational barrier.
Madden earned a Master of Counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the same university in 2001. She completed undergraduate studies at Northern Arizona University and pursued doctoral work in neuropsychology at Argosy University from 2010 to 2013 before changing plans. To maintain her Arizona counseling license she completes 30 hours of continuing education every two years, and her training includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), posttraumatic stress disorder care, neuropsychology, and work with depression and anxiety.
Her career began as a crisis counselor for the Phoenix Fire Department while she completed graduate school. She later served for several years as a crisis counselor in emergency rooms across the Valley, then focused on PTSD treatment for police officers, firefighters, and military members. In 2013 she became the Director of Psychological Health for the Arizona Army National Guard, supporting soldiers in pre- and post-deployment phases, suicide prevention, PTSD care, and military sexual trauma. After that contract ended she helped open Quail Run Behavioral Health Hospital as Director of Intake and Assessment. She currently works for Arizona’s state crisis system in a telecommuting role and has returned to individual counseling through her work with the Better Help team.
A third-generation Arizonan, Madden grew up in Flagstaff and moved to Phoenix after graduating from NAU. Personal experiences influenced her decision to become a counselor, including supporting an aunt through an emergency room crisis after a sudden family death and recovering from PTSD with help from a counselor following a brief period in the military. She has been divorced twice, recently relocated to Phoenix to be nearer family and friends, and shares her home with two spoiled dachshunds. She enjoys travel and is learning to crochet, and she welcomes the opportunity to work with new clients.
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