About Shawn
- Grand Junction Native
- Veteran
- Father
- Divorced
- Made mistakes
- Probably not that different from most people
I’m a funny guy who is easy to talk to.
I graduated from Grand Junction High School. Received a BA from Mesa State College. Received a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from University of Phoenix in Salt Lake City.
My career started by joining the Air Force for 6 years. Then I worked as a Probation Officer in Utah trying to help people change behaviors to stop the problems in their life. I realized being a counselor was a better way, so I went back to school for my counseling degree and have loved working with people this way.
My therapeutic approach
I use a variety of therapeutic approaches, including humor, CBT, EMDR, Solutions Focused therapy, and others. I can teach you a new set of coping skills, help identify thought patterns that are holding you back, or perhaps use EMDR to reduce your trauma symptoms to make it easier to get back out there. EMDR is a useful tool for trauma that helps take away the “this just happened” feeling from older memories.
First, I like to begin with a Solutions-Focused approach, which means we look at your situation, see what is already working, identify what is not working, and use problem solving to explore other solutions. I also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which explores your thoughts, values, beliefs, and how you were raised, and how all those core beliefs affect they way you behave and react to situations.
I’m open, honest, up-front, and try to use humor when I can.
Mainly, I work with those who are anxious, depressed, and victims of trauma. Together, we will search for the solutions you need to function better in your life.
The age range I work with best with is 16 and older. I am friendly to all walks of life.
Education
Master of Science, Mental Health Counseling, University of Phoenix, Salt Lake City, UT 2010, 60 credits, in-person. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Additional trainings:
- Clinical Supervision I, II, & III, Noeticus, Colorado, 7/21/21, 45 hours
- LPC Clinical Supervision, Jun 26, 2021, The Colorado School for Family Therapy, Aurora, CO, 7 hours
- Essentials of Trauma Treatment, 02/20, PESI, 8.75 hours
- Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA), Grand Junction, Co, 9/14/18, 70 hours
- Introduction to DBT: A Beginning toolbox, Riversage Institute, Grand Junction Co, 12/15/17, 7 hours
- Basic EMDR, Riversage Institute, Grand Junction, CO, 11/5/2017, 50 hours
- Seeking Safety training, Joni Utley, Psyd; Grand Junction, CO 4/3/2015, 11 hours.
- Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality annual conference, San Diego, CA 11/14/13
- Utah Association for Domestic Violence Treatment annual conference, Salt Lake City, UT, 16 hours, 9/11-13/2013
- Western Psychological Association 2013 Conference, Reno, NV, 4/26/2013
- 38th Annual School on Addictions and Behavioral Health, Anchorage, AK, 26 hours, 5/10/2012
- Mental Health First Aid, basic skills, Mesa County Criminal Justice Services, 12 hours, 8/2011
- Motivational Interviewing, basic skills workshop, Larry Chatterton, MINT, 12 hours, 3/09/2011
- Advanced Hypnosis Workshop on Pain Management, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 20 hours, 9/10/2009
- Intermediate hypnosis training, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 20 hours, 4/30/2009
- Basic hypnosis training, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 20 hours, 12/11/2008