Find a therapist in Reading, PA — covered by insurance

Shannon is a trauma-informed therapist with a Master of Arts in mental health counseling with a concentration in addiction and offenders counseling from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has a Bachelor of Arts in applied psychology and a minor in criminal justice from Penn State University, Berks campus. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a certified advanced alcohol and drugs counselor (CAADC), a certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP), certified in dialectical behavior therapy (C-DBT) and a rainbow advocate clinical specialist (RACS).

I’m a therapist who keeps it real. Life gets overwhelming, and you don’t have to pretend with me. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, anxiety, substance use, relationship stress, or court‐related challenges, I’m here to help you sort through the chaos and find your footing again. I’m supportive, honest, and easy to talk to — and I’ll walk with you as you learn new skills, break old patterns, and build a life that feels more stable and aligned with who you want to be.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I bring a unique perspective to therapy through an uncommon journey from science to counseling. Holding a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Molecular Virology, I transitioned mid-career to the field of mental health out of a deep curiosity about the human condition and a desire to help others find meaning, balance, and resilience in their lives. I am passionate about working with adults navigating life’s many challenges—from managing anxiety and addressing the inner critic to coping with stress and life changes such as job-related burnout, career transitions, bereavement, stepping into a caregiving role, or adjusting to a new health diagnosis.”

I am a Pennsylvania-licensed psychologist with 23 years of counseling experience with adults of all ages, from late-adolescence and across the lifespan.

My practice focuses on helping individuals develop personally meaningful ways of navigating anxiety and depression, grief and loss, trauma and PTSD, time-of-life transitions, and identity development. These therapeutic partnerships often involve identity-affirming explorations of racial, ethnic, LGBTQIA, and neuro-diversity matters within clients’ lives.

Helping clients feels safe, regarded, and at ease... I work hard to understand what each individual needs from me to feel these things at the forefront of our relationship.

I feel really confident in my empathic attunement toward clients as I authentically connect with each individual. I prioritize creating a shared space of sincerity as clients begin telling me their stories.

And what an honor it is, helping clients share their narratives in a manner that highlights their courage and resilience, as well as their yearning and needs.

As we begin to explore and understand all of these things, we hone in on each client’s inner resources and external supports — identifying these things and figuring out how each individual client can feel most empowered in themselves.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Pennsylvania, but residing in Florida since 2023. I have 10 years of experience working with individuals suffering from mental health and substance use disorders. I also specialize in trauma and offer a very warm, caring approach. If you’re feeling stuck in cycles that no longer serve you, know that you don't have to carry this alone. I offer a warm, nurturing space where your journey—mind, body, and spirit—is held with compassion. Instead of just focusing on the past, we’ll work together to find your inner resources and create small, tangible steps toward a life that feels lighter and more aligned with your values.

I strongly believe that everyone deserves to feel validated and to have their story truly heard. I understand—both personally and professionally—how essential it is to have a safe space where you are taken seriously in order to create meaningful movement and change in your life. I have over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, working with individuals and families in both therapeutic and life coaching settings. Throughout my career, I’ve supported clients of diverse ages, backgrounds, and diagnoses, and I bring that depth of experience into every session.

Hello, I’m John Muscarnera. I provide individual therapy for adults seeking support with anxiety, depression, stress management, relationship challenges, and personal growth.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience working with adults. I approach therapy as a relational process, not a place where you come to be fixed. You’re not a problem to solve; you’re a person with a history, patterns that make sense, and a way of being in the world that developed for a reason.

About Me

I'm not your typical psychotherapist, and everyone I've had the honor to work with on their life's journey can attest to this. Born, raised and forged in the "Steel City" and sharpened in the "City of Brotherly Love", the term "Alchemist" more accurately describes who I am. I specialize in alchemizing pain into purpose and trauma into triumph. If you're ready to transform your life, I'm your guy!