Hello my name is Shannon Avenall and I am a licensed social worker. I have a strong passion and truly enjoy working with individuals to reach their highest potential and work through life's day to day challenges through counseling. Clients learn and explore themselves and come to a greater understanding of their feelings and the behaviors that result. I enjoy helping them grow and develop into the best versions of themselves by developing new coping skills along with assigning homework exercises to help them gain a real world sense of how these skills will look. I also work with them to develop a safe supportive environment in which to express themselves and grow.
I received my Bachelor's degree in social work at Oakland University and then graduated from Michigan State University with my Master's in clinical social work. I have experience interning as a medical social worker at Crittenton Hospital and helped clients of all ages. Main areas of focus were on helping elderly clients deal with issues in aging, and issues dealing and adjusting to having a physical or even terminal illness. While studying for my Master's I worked as a home based therapist in the family guidance program serving children/ adolescents/ teens ages 5-17. I have experience working at a private practice seeing all ages in the past as well as more Community Mental Health experience in Oakland County.
I take a holistic person centered approach to counseling. I believe it is important to have a sound balance between mind and body. I have worked in the past with clients in a weight loss program. Helping them tackle the emotional issues that crop up when trying to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. I have a strong passion in helping people deal with body image and food issues and eating disorders.
I am very experiential and utilize exposure therapy, art, music, and other hands on methods. I utilize solution focused, CBT, motivational interviewing, and DBT techniques with clients as well.
I have a strong focus in child, adolescent, teens and young adult issues. Things such as bullying especially with the rise of cyber bullying in social media. I utilize Trauma focused CBT methods with this population in helping to deal with traumatic events such as child abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse as well as any other forms of trauma. I have an interest in grief and loss,relationships and couples, families, stress and transitions, aging issues, and multiple other mental health diagnoses. I am comfortable serving ages 4-80 years old.
Thanks for taking the time to read about me! I look forward to meeting and working with you! :)