Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is focused on one-on-one sessions to meet your individual goals and dreams.
Therapeutic Services
Often we are successful in one area of our life but feel that another area is not going as well as we would like. Finding balance can leave us feeling overwhelmed. While we are all the experts on our own lives, sometimes we need the perspective of another person in order to see ourselves more clearly. Helping to better understand yourself and the strengths you already possess can lead to positive change which ideally will result in living a more authentic, balanced, and enriching life.
While I typically use an existential/humanistic theoretical orientation to help you find meaning in the circumstances of your life, I often incorporate behavioral techniques in addition to traditional talk therapy.
To schedule an appointment, please call 301-246-0212 and leave a message. I will call you back as soon as I can, and will conduct a 15 minutes consultation with you to see if my services are what you are looking for. If you decide to continue with me, I will send you over email the Informed Consent which you will email back to me prior to the first appointment.
Couples and Family Therapy
Couples and family therapy examine the overall communication pattern between the couple and/or family. This can be in addition to individual therapy or can be the primary mode of counseling.
Group Therapy
At times, the identified concern of a client is better addressed in a group counseling setting. People with similar treatment goals could opt to be a part of a group counseling setting to address their treatment needs.
Clinical Supervision Services
In Maryland, Licensed Graduate Professional Counselors (LGPCs) may practice graduate professional counseling for 2 years (2,000 hours) under the supervision of a BOARD-APPROVED clinical supervisor, including 100 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision (50 hours must be from an LCPC; minimum of 50 hours must be individual). Total hours required for LCPC is 3,000 hours, up to 1,000 of which may be pre-master’s (i.e., your Practicum and Internship), as long as those hours were under an approved supervisor (LCPC or other licensed mental health care provider). Dr. Shoemaker is a Maryland approved clinical board approved supervisor and can provide you with the necessary individual direct supervision required for LCPC licensure.
To schedule an appointment, please call 301-246-0212 and leave a message. I will call you back as soon as I can, and will conduct a 15 minutes consultation with you to see if my services are what you are looking for. If you decide to continue with me, I will send you over email the Clinical Supervision Agreement which you will email prior to the first appointment.
Pricing: $75 per supervisory session Ask about my alumni discount!Consultation Services
At times, professional consultation is needed for businesses, schools, or private companies in regards to best practices when it comes to mental health or emotional wellness. With over ten years of experience in the counseling profession, I can help take my knowledge and apply it to your situation for the best outcome possible. Please call for more information on fees for this service.
Research Projects
Dr. Shoemaker's scholarship examines the evolving intersections of human relationships, identity, creativity, and technology within the counseling profession. Her research interests include counseling sexology and sexual wellness, couples and relationship dynamics, creativity and expressive approaches in counseling, counselor education and supervision, multicultural and affirming practice, and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence into counseling. Her recent work has focused on how clients engage with conversational AI, the implications of emerging technologies for clinical practice, and strategies for helping counselors thoughtfully respond to these rapidly changing tools while preserving the uniquely human aspects of the therapeutic relationship. Her work has been presented at local, national, and international conferences and has informed professional training for counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors. In addition to publishing scholarly work, Dr. Shoemaker is an invited speaker on topics related to artificial intelligence in counseling, sexuality and relationships, creativity in counseling, multicultural counseling, and counselor education.Current projects include:
About
Dr. Shannon Shoemaker is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Shippensburg University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and West Virginia, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Massachusetts, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Maryland Board Approved Supervisor. Dr. Shoemaker earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology and master's degree in Counselor Education from Bridgewater State University and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Pennsylvania State University. She has more than 15 years of clinical experience across school systems, community mental health, and private practice, working with adults, adolescents, couples, and families. Her clinical work focuses on couples and relationship concerns, sexual wellness, infidelity, non-religious spiritual development, and working with clients in affirming and alternative relationship and lifestyle communities. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Shoemaker is an active researcher, educator, and speaker. Her work reflects a curiosity about the ways people connect—with themselves, with others, and with the world around them. Her scholarship includes relationships and sexual wellness, creativity in counseling, counselor education, multicultural and affirming practice, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in mental health. She has a particular interest in helping counselors thoughtfully integrate emerging technologies while preserving the deeply human elements of the therapeutic relationship. Dr. Shoemaker has presented at local, national, and international conferences and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education. She is also the Past President of the Association for Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness (ACSSW). Whether working with clients, teaching future counselors, or conducting research, Dr. Shoemaker is passionate about helping people build stronger relationships, live more authentically, and navigate life's challenges with curiosity, compassion, and intention. She believes that meaningful growth comes through understanding ourselves, connecting honestly with others, and embracing both the complexity and possibility of being human.
FAQ's
What should I expect in counseling? Counseling or therapy provides a safe place with an expert to discuss issues in your life that you would like to work on or change. By talking with a professional, you can learn more about yourself so that you can better identify unhealthy patterns, make meaning out of past negative experiences, and understand how to better cope with stressors. In your first session we will start by finding out why you are choosing to come to counseling at this point in your life and what your goals are for counseling. Many questions will be asked to understand the history of the concern and to better understand who you are overall. If you decide that you feel comfortable with me as your therapist as well as the way that I work, then you can choose to set up a second appointment and continue on in therapy. If not, I am more than happy to help you find a therapist that might better address your needs and preferences. If you do decide to continue on, we will regularly work to ensure we are meeting your goals and will continue to adjust your goals based on your needs and expectations. It is best if you are able to be as open and honest as possible when you come to therapy.
What are your fees? Fees for individual counseling: $150 per 50 minute session. Fees for Couples/Family counseling: $200 per 90 minute session. Fees for Group Counseling: $75 per person per 90 minute session. Fees for Clinical Supervision: $75 per session. Fees for Consultation Services: Call for more information.
Do you take health insurance? I am an out-of-network provider and do not participate directly with insurance companies. Many insurance plans, particularly PPOs, offer partial benefits for out-of-network mental health services. I will provide you with a monthly statement with all of the information necessary to submit for reimbursement. Please note, however, that payment is due directly to me at the time of session. If you would like to inquire about coverage for our sessions, I suggest you ask your carrier the following questions:Does my plan cover mental health services (e.g., individual psychotherapy)? If so, what percentage of the cost is covered for out-of-network providers?Is there a session limit? How many sessions are covered per calendar year?Do you require precertification?Do I have a deductible? How much is it? Has it been met?
How long should counseling take? The length of counseling depends on the type of concern you share as well as the intensity of your symptoms. Research has shown that therapy can be concluded after three sessions, or may take over a year. On average clients tend to begin to experience relief from their symptoms within the first eight sessions.
How will I know counseling is working? You will know that counseling is working once you begin to experience relief from your symptoms, which on average, should occur within the first eight sessions. If you don't feel you are experiencing any relief, you should discuss this with your therapist so that you can negotiate a resolution. The good news is most clients do begin to experience symptom relief which encourages them to continue on in therapy.
What about medications? I am not a psychiatrist and so cannot prescribe medication. However, I often work with medical professionals to refer clients for evaluations and/or prescriptions.