Shannon Graepel

The first thing I want you to know is that it's okay to not have it all figured out before you reach out. A lot of people wait until they feel "ready enough" — but honestly, showing up uncertain is one of the bravest things you can do. I've worked with people navigating anxiety that won't let them sleep, PTSD and trauma that follow them into everyday moments, OCD that feels like a loop they can't escape, grief that arrived out of nowhere, and the quiet pain of feeling like they don't quite know who they are. I work with adults and seniors, and I'm proud to create a genuinely affirming space for LGBTQIA+ clients. I practice entirely via telehealth across New York, Florida, and Ohio — so we can work together from wherever feels safest for you, whether that's your living room, your parked car, or your lunch break at work.

I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy, and I'll never treat you like a checklist of symptoms. My approach is collaborative and draws on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed principles, and mindfulness-based techniques — adapted to what actually makes sense for your life and goals. I also pay attention to the relationship between mind and body, because sometimes what we're carrying shows up physically before we have the words for it. What I care about most is that you feel genuinely heard, not managed. I'll challenge you when it's helpful, slow down when you need space, and be honest with you even when honesty is uncomfortable. Progress in therapy isn't always a straight line — I know that, and I'll be right alongside you for the winding parts.

The first session is yours. I'll start with a brief overview of how we'll work together and answer any questions you have about the process — there are no wrong questions. Then I'll invite you to share what brought you here in your own words, at your own pace. We'll talk about what's been hard, what you're hoping for, and what your life looks like right now. You don't need to bring a prepared speech or a list of symptoms. You can start anywhere. By the end of our first session, most people feel a mix of relief and something that feels a little like possibility — like maybe this could actually help. That's the goal. No pressure, no evaluation — just a real conversation between two people trying to figure out if we're a good fit for each other.