About Me

Hey, I’m Shannel. I’m so glad you’re here.

My style is to meet you where you are — in your pajamas, sipping your favorite drink, baby alongside — so therapy feels natural, supportive and fully yours.

Clients describe me as compassionate and easy to connect with. From the very first session, I quickly understand your story, connect the dots and begin forming a picture of what our work together will look like. My style is proactive and engaged. This is not traditional sit-back-and-listen therapy.

If you’re looking for an honest, supportive partner who challenges you to grow, we will work well together.

In addition to each client’s individual goals, I focus on these key areas: helping you separate anxiety from intuition, connect with your body rather than your overthinking mind, and notice when society’s expectations and limiting systems shape your fears and “shoulds.”

I draw from a combination of therapeutic modalities, selecting what best fits your situation, and weave in insights about human behavior along with principles from Buddhist philosophy to help you meet life’s uncertainty, grief, and change with greater steadiness. In our work together, you will feel understood and less alone in your experiences. If you’ve been feeling trapped by your circumstances or societal expectations, and are looking to build a meaningful life on your own terms, I’ve done this myself and am passionate about helping my clients create a life where they are reminded about its beauty.

My husband and I left San Francisco in 2023 to travel for one year with our kids before moving to Mexico. We’re currently based in beautiful mountains of San Miguel de Allende. I firmly believe that talk therapy becomes even more powerful when you also engage with the world — through travel, dance, creative expression, experiencing different cultures, and connecting with nature. These experiences can be profoundly healing and clarifying.

As a first-generation, multicultural woman of Iranian and Roma descent, I deeply appreciate how history and culture shape identity and self-understanding. 

Education

  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

    University of San Diego

  • B.A in Psychology

    University of California, San Diego

Training & Modalities

  • EMDRIA certified EMDR Therapist

  • Gottman Level 2 certification

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Gifford Clinic, UCSD

  • Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Service Agency of Marin

  • Facilitator for Escalation Workshop, One Love Foundation

Experience

  • Gay Couples Institute of San Francisco, couples therapy

  • Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), therapist for college students

  • UC San Diego Gifford Clinic, practicum outpatient therapy for high-risk patients

  • El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, therapist intern and group facilitator in the outpatient dual diagnosis program

  • Family Service Agency of Marin, individual and family therapy for underserved populations

“This is your life, and you forgot that you’re in charge of it.” -Shannel

Take the First Step

If you’re interested in working together, please complete this brief form. I’ll review your message and be in touch within 48 hours to schedule a free phone consultation.