Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rates for Individual Sessions? Regular Rates $190/hour & half – Recommended for your initial visit, and for any appointments for which you want to unpack many issues or emotions. Also great for individuals who appreciate slower processing and time to take notes during the session. $150/hour – For individual sessions. These can be weekly, every other week, or monthly. You can reschedule at no cost, with 24 hours notice. $110/hour if you book 5 sessions for $550. You can book the first session online, and at that appointment you pre-pay with cash or check and we put your next 4 selected appointment times on the calendar. People have more significant shifts with consistent sessions. (If needed, you can change one of these scheduled appointments during a session or via email with 24 hours notice. If you cancel a 2nd session, that time is still one of your package sessions. Even if you miss a 2nd session, it is still worth the savings.) For all clients: To accommodate possible illness or emergency, I allow you to same-day reschedule once a year without charge. Note: to provide powerful indoor counseling and holistic nature therapy, I pay for indoor and outdoor offices, and I take time to pack supplies and change. It is totally worth it, and it’s why my scheduling policy is specific.
Do you offer low-income reduced rates? Reduced Rates I offer a reduced rate for people whose household incomes are below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines ($37k/1 person; see full chart link below; If you live outside of Kansas, the guideline could be higher), AND have limited resources (you don’t have much savings, you hardly vacation, etc. If your parents or benefactors pay your bills, please count that in your income). There’s a limited number of reduced rate spots. To keep your spot, please do not miss your appointment, and schedule each next appointment within a month. Extra space and flexibility is made for BIPOC/GM. Contact me to request a Reduced Rate spot. You may share what’s going on in your life, and we can find a fee amount that is right for you.
View the federal poverty guidelines full chart here.
Private Pay or Insurance? I take "private pay" which means you pay me directly for services. I do not take any insurance; insurance does not cover my services. I can give you a receipt to submit to your FSA or HSA for possible reimbursement. Or you could use your insurance to see a more typical talk therapist if you want, while also benefitting from my in-depth mind-body healing work. Some people do not want to use insurance and want to pay privately. Insurance companies require therapists to make a mental health diagnosis that becomes a permanent part of your medical record, and may be shared with other entities. Therapists must prove “medical necessity,” which means that you have a mental health diagnosis severe enough to be impacting your daily functioning. If private pay is financially difficult for you, see options above for a low-income rate or pay bulk rate for 5 sessions to save $200. Some people do seek a diagnosis or access to particular treatment methods, or prescriptions from a psychiatrist. I am not a licensed psychotherapist, I do not diagnose disorders, and I do not prescribe any medications. I welcome people to seek my services and the services of a psychotherapist concurrently. You may benefit in different ways, and/or our work may dovetail for your greatest benefit. I personally have found much success from utilizing psychotherapy and holistic counseling.
Where is your outdoor location? At Hidden Valley, a private nature camp in the heart of Lawrence. Hidden Valley Camp is completely outdoors, so wear comfortable clothing (with layers in fall-spring). Bring anything that will make you feel most comfortable, such as: a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water, and/or insect repellent. There’s a spacious wooden shelter we can perch under, out of sun and rain. Or we could walk as we talk, if that’s what your body needs. In winter, you’re welcome to bring a blanket, hot tea, or whatever you’d like. It is across the street from my indoor office, so if we need to switch locations, we can. Hidden Valley is located at 3420 Bob Billings Pkwy, Lawrence, KS 66049. It is a private park, meaning you cannot enter it without an appointment. *I work out of, but not for, Hidden Valley. By renting their property, it represents neither agreement nor disagreement between us regarding goals, purposes, or statements.*
Where is your indoor location? I have a cozy office across the street at 1505 Kasold Drive, Suite 5, Lawrence KS 66047. I also come to Kansas City once a month for in-person sessions. My indoor office is in Overland Park and outdoors we can meet in Olathe. Many KC people see me twice a month, once in KC and once in Lawrence or by video.
Do you sell medicinal plants? Where can I learn more and buy them? I don’t sell plants or products. My training involved studying plants and foraging, and I only teach about them in the context of nature forest therapy sessions. GoodEarth Gatherings sells herbs and teas in the Lawrence Area. They also offer year long virtual classes where you can learn in depth about them. “Become the home herbalist you are meant to be. Every month students receive a box filled with herbs, herbal kits, seeds and/or other items related to the lessons being taught that month. Every month is a mindful journey through the seasons, gaining skills and confidence to use herbs every day.” -Tamara & Twila Click on an image below to visit their site, or class page.
Do you work with children and teens? I mostly work with adults in individual counseling sessions. I do not work with children individually. I sometimes work with teenagers if it’s a particularly fitting match. If you feel worried or stressed about your child, please make an appointment with me for your personal support. I can help you, and when we help you as the parent within the family system, it will help your child. And I hope you find a great therapist for your child. I often work with families, including children, in a family or group forest bathing/forest therapy session where we name stress and experience ways to reduce it. These sessions can include children of any age.
What are the accessibility options? My office has 5 steps to get in, with no elevator. Hidden Valley has some flat areas, and some sloped areas, and we can choose your area. Zoom comes with video, but it can be turned off for folks with screen-induced migraines. Group sessions are on a variety of terrain, please write me and ask. I'd be happy to plan a session that works for your specific body needs.
What neurodivergencies do you work with? 50% of my clients have a neurodivergence. Some have Executive Functioning differences, sometimes referred to as ADD or ADHD. Some are on the autism spectrum. Some have a combination of neurodivergences or a combination of a neurodivergence and PTSD. They report great satisfaction from working with me. However, I am not a licensed mental health professional who diagnoses or treats mental health conditions. My clients see a medical doctor and/or a psychiatrist for any needed medical treatments for their conditions.
What are Shannon's personal practices? My spiritual practices are in universal Sufism, Zen Buddhism and mindfulness, progressive Christianity, and classical Yoga. I also have experience with group pagan rituals and earth-based practices (I stack wood and build fires for winter heat, garden, and relate regularly with the earth). At times I can share from these paths what seems relevant and connected to your path, when you wish. Of course some methods work best for me, but you are unique. People have different effective paths. So I’m here to ally with you on the path and goals that feel best for you. I don’t think you need to be on any explicit spiritual path to be good, whole, healthy, and dignified. People choose what works for them, and the world is beautiful that way.
Can I get emotional counseling without spiritual dialogue? Yes. If you identify as atheist, agnostic, or just don't want spirituality involved, we can just work with your emotions and thoughts. I believe that any time we work with emotions in our body, we are working with our energy, but we don’t have to focus on existential questions. Many of the techniques I use originated in global spiritual traditions (which is true for many aspects of Western psychotherapy), but they are non-judgmental and non-dogmatic. I’m never trying to convert you to a specific belief. Just toward kindness and healing. What’s most important in our sessions is that you feel your desired shift.
I'm concerned about being judged. Do you really understand? I know it can be difficult sometimes to share your innermost thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, because of trauma, shaming, or our dominant culture’s polarity of right/wrong. So it’s important that you know I am not judging you. I'll get curious about things I don't understand, and respect the context of your life history while we steer toward health. What that looks like is up for discussion. (It certainly doesn’t exclude anger or socially condemnable coping strategies.) People tell me very, very difficult things. All are held in the utmost care. We explore the truth together, and your inner wisdom is welcomed forth.
What are your Covid Policies? Many people have experienced additional stressors from covid and personal and global health issues. For some, these stressors are triggering old wounds or flaring up new realizations of the need for change. I’m here to help. During this time, I am offering three options, so you can choose what’s best for you! We can meet outdoors where we can be 6+ feet distance apart. If the weather is uncomfortable for you, we can meet in my indoor office. I am covid vaccinated. Either outdoors or indoors, you are welcome to wear a mask, if you’d like. I can wear one too. You may only choose in-person if you are free of symptoms and have had no known exposure. Or, I will gladly support you via an online video session. While different than in person, there are various ways I can guide you to engage your challenges, goals, and the natural environment available to you. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to reach out.
What are your Social Media Policies? I use Facebook (FB) and Instagram (IG) as a public platform like a website/blog/forum, and my FB "friends" include strangers, clients, real life friends, and more. I only post information on FB and IG that I'm expressing to everyone. In real life, I share confidential information with my friends and we share a mutually supportive relationship. Whereas, in a therapeutic relationship, 1 person (the client) is receiving all the support (in exchange for a fee) and the counselor follows ethical guidelines and professional boundaries. So to be clear, becoming FB "friends" with me or having an IG connection does not change the therapeutic relationship into a friendship. Any therapeutic communication that needs to happen in between sessions should still happen via email (or texts for urgent items or schedule changes). I do post workshops on FB and exchange messages about them there, however I check it infrequently and move conversation to email as soon as possible. I hope this is understandable. Please let me know if you have any questions about it.
What are your hours of operation? 9am-6pm Monday through Friday are my regular hours. I can make additional times available for people committed to a bulk package. Often Tuesday and Thursday evenings are group classes. I lead workshops several times a month on weekends. If you want to work with me, let's make it work!