Shannon Sauls

I a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. I have experience working with adults seeking support with trauma, anxiety, life transitions, relationship and parental challenges, anger, self-esteem and self-worth, codependency, and other challenges that can arise throughout life.

As a trauma specialist, I understand that our past experiences can influence how we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to the world around us. My approach is warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental, while also helping clients develop practical tools, gain insight into patterns that may no longer serve them, and create meaningful change.

I believe counseling should be a place where you can show up as you are—without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out. My goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space where you feel heard, understood, and supported as we work together toward healing, growth, and a life that feels more authentic and manageable.

I earned my Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Liberty University and am licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina.

I believe therapy should feel like a collaborative relationship, not a place where someone simply tells you what to do. My role is to meet you where you are, help you better understand yourself and the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and work alongside you as you discover healthier ways of moving forward.

My approach is warm, compassionate, straightforward, and nonjudgmental. I believe meaningful change often requires more than simply talking about what is happening. It involves understanding why we think, feel, and respond the way we do, learning practical skills, and gradually developing new ways of relating to ourselves and others.

As a trauma specialist, I take a trauma-informed and individualized approach to counseling. We will work at a pace that feels manageable while building the safety and skills necessary to address difficult experiences rather than pushing into painful material before you are ready.

I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches based on each client's individual needs rather than expecting every person to fit into one particular method. Our work may include developing emotional regulation skills, identifying unhealthy patterns, strengthening boundaries and communication, increasing self-awareness and self-worth, and learning healthier ways to respond to life's challenges.

Most importantly, you don't have to have everything figured out before you come to therapy. You can come exactly as you are. Together, we'll work toward understanding where you've been, where you are now, and finding better ways forward.

Your first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and for you to decide whether I feel like the right therapist for you. You do not need to arrive knowing exactly what to say or where to begin. We will figure that out together.

I will ask questions about what brought you to counseling, what you have been experiencing, important parts of your history, and what you would like to be different in your life. We will also begin identifying goals for therapy and discussing how we can work together to help you reach them.

Because I take a trauma-informed approach, you will not be expected to tell me every detail of painful or traumatic experiences during your first session. You are always in control of what you choose to share, and we will move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

The first session is also your opportunity to ask questions, tell me what has or has not worked for you in previous therapy, and let me know what you need in order to feel comfortable and supported.

Most importantly, there is no "right" way to do your first therapy session. Come as you are. My job is to provide a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space where we can begin understanding what you need and finding better ways forward.