About Me

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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 interpret the themes in your story, connect the dots and begin forming a picture of what our work together will look like. I take an active and engaged approach- I don’t just sit back and listen.

If you’re looking for an honest, supportive therapist who challenges you with creative ways to see or approach situations, 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 compassion and equanimity. 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 enjoyed 13 years living in San Francisco before traveling in 2023 for one year with our kids and eventually deciding to move to Mexico. We’re currently based in the 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 and music (I’m all about ’90s hip hop and neo soul), 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. 

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Education

  • M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy

    University of San Diego (2010)

  • B.A in Psychology

    University of California, San Diego (2008)

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Training & Modalities

  • EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist

  • Gottman Level 1 and 2 certification with 10 year of clinical experience

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

  • Psychodynamic Therapy, Family Service Agency of Marin

  • Facilitator for Escalation Workshop, One Love Foundation

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Experience

  • Gay Couples Institute of San Francisco, couples therapist

  • 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

“Be curious. Welcome groundlessness. Lighten up and relax. Offer chaos a cup of tea.” -Pema Chodron

Take the First Step

Thanks for your interest in working with me. Please fill out this brief form and be in touch within 48 hours to schedule a free 30-miute phone consultation.

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