I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with 25 years experience. Currently I practice in West Linn , Oregon although I am also licensed in the state of California. As a licensed professional , I participate in continuing education to continue my learning process and stay current in the field. I find it very fulfilling and a privilege to have people open up their lives and hearts to me as they seek out help. All of us have been adversely effected by various circumstances and events in our lives. Therapy helps heal these broken places and also provides an increased understanding of what is happening inside and the ability to communicate that effectively in relationships which leads to more satisfying and fulfilling relationships. I work with individuals and couples age 16 and up with specialized training in trauma work/EMDR and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and relationship issues. I come from a Christian worldview and have training into incorporating this into the therapy process if the client so desires. I also work with mood disorders (anxiety, depression, panic) and eating disorders. I currently am on Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, Pacific Source and LifeWise insurance panels as a preferred provider, so typically if you are insured by these companies, you only pay your office visit co-payment once your deductible for the year has been met. If you are insured by a different company, check with your insurance company as to what your reimbursement is for outpatient mental health with an out of network provider and I can still submit sessions costs to your insurance company. If you are experiencing difficulties in your current situation, your relationship or marriage or struggling within your own "skin" - how you feel about yourself, or your moods and emotions, I think you will find that sitting down with someone and working these things through will be very beneficial. Please reach out and find help for yourself of your relationship, you won't be sorry!

I work collaboratively with clients who have ADHD, ADD, anxiety disorders, depression, anger problems, unresolved trauma, communication difficulties, parenting, relationship difficulties, marital problems, grief, loss, divorce, and life transitions, helping them return to optimal functionability. Medication management is utilized when warranted. Although I am Board Certified to work with adults, children and adolescents, my private practice is primarilly for adults. I have certification in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) as well as Advanced Therapist in Hypnotherapy. I make referrals to other health care practitioners such as psychiatrists, naturopaths, acupuncturists, etc. I believe that I am uniquely qualified to work with clients from the psychological perspective and medical aspects of mental health. My licensure as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Clinical Social Worker ensures you of my extensive studies and dedication to the highest standards and ethics.

WHAT IS A GOOD MARRIAGE COUNSELOR? Marriage repair is not something you want to leave in the hands of someone who has no training in marriage counseling. Most grad schools where counselors get a Master's Degree do not provide it, and licensing does not require it. And as Dr. Bill Dougherty, co-founder of the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists learned in his research that most counselors admit to accepting couples as clients and also having no training to do so. Find a good counselor by starting out asking what advanced training they have in couples' counseling. WHAT DOES A MARRIAGE SPECIALIST DO? If what you are being asked to do by a counselor seems crazy, impossible or just pointless-it probably is. When couples see what everyday habits or conflict management habits impact them the most-it is a relief to begin practicing them. Feels like creating your safe place to land in a storm. Are you ready to make things better? Or for singles and newlyweds, don't you want to give your new relationship the best chance at succeeding? At Relationship Gardening couples receive a thorough take home assessment so that strengths and struggles are made known at the start. As a counselor with advanced training by the world's expert on marriage, Dr. John Gottman, I know that couples often say they need help with communication, but let's get specific about what you are really most likely seeking: relief from fighting or criticism that stings, or bringing down the walls that have been driving you more and more apart. Both poisonous habits and habits that maintain emptiness will lead you to divorce, unless you do something about them. And if you are facing excruciating life problems like betrayal, you can be guided through the 3 phases critical to recovery which are hard to do on your own-but doable with an informed counselor to make your relationship stronger after affairs. WHAT LATEST INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCE IS SHANNON OFFERING IN PORTLAND, OREGON? Healthy Weight Action Awesomeness group is being formed to promote good mental strategies for building motivation and reaching your goals. Plus we have encouraging accountability and support with check in buddies! Healthy Weight Group is presented by a counselor (Shannon Batts), with a guest holistic health naturopath (Dr. Kelly Raylinksy), and a yoga therapist (Andrea Flores) who delivers patient and creative guidance for whole body health. OMG, we so rock!

Is your life, or your relationship, not quite where you want it to be? Are you feeling stuck or misunderstood? Are you struggling with anxiety, codependency, depression, PTSD, or grief? Do you feel as if your past trauma is negatively impacting your current life? No one knows you as well as you do: your dreams, desires, goals, struggles, feelings, ambitions, relationships, etc. Sometimes internal and external pressure becomes too much to bear alone. As a therapist, I can help you understand your experiences in an empathic and safe space that promotes healing, growth, and the creative exploration of all areas of life. You will set the pace as we explore the issues most important to you, including daily hardships, navigating relationships, and untangling pain - past and present. As an expert in individual and couple counseling, I’m deeply passionate about helping people improve their relationships, enhance their emotional well-being, break free of anxiety and depression, discover their strengths, and re-empower their lives.

Possibly the deadliest drug available, heroin destroys lives. Because treatment for drug addiction is most effective when specific to your drug of choice, we focus on helping men with addictions to heroin. Men's Heroin Rehab is also a drug addiction resource that helps families understand, assess, and treat loved ones who are suffering from addiction.

At Compass Community Counseling you can count on a judgment free environment to assist individuals, couples and families with counseling services in Vancouver, WA and the Portland-Metro area to make lasting positive changes. We lead our clients to find hope, direction, and healing through emotional renewal, spiritual change and physical growth. We have extensive training and experience working with relationships and how they are imbedded in a person’s patterns of behaviors. We have additional training in Functional Family Therapy, Gottman methods, and Sex Therapy. Every couple has moments when they start to fight more, feel angry, harbor resentment, or even feel withdrawn from their partner. If we are being truly honest we know that relationships are hard and they take a tremendous amount of work. We see our role as a relationship or marriage counselor to sit with you, where you are in the moment and help guide the way in mending the broken pieces of your relationship. Our goal in couples counseling is never about taking sides; it is about helping you each to understand each other better.

If you feel you are working too hard trying to handle a difficult transition in your life, trying to cope with anxieties or depression or trying to recover from a trauma, please call me. I offer counseling in Vancouver, Washington to individuals and couples. My years of experience in the Portland Metro area, including Vancouver, Washington, has prepared me to be sensitive to diversity of all kinds and to understand the struggles of others while remaining flexible to what one may need in the moment. After 16 years of providing emergency medical social work in three busy emergency departments, I have found a great balance to life by shifting my focus as a counselor for individuals and couples in a private setting in Vancouver, Washington. My goal is to offer a safe, nonjudgmental and welcoming space for you to explore yourself with honesty. I will help you begin moving forward, while supporting you through the change process. My practice is action-oriented, with great attention to your strengths while helping you to stay present in the moment.

In addition to helping clients overcome depression, anxiety, stress, and trauma, my subspecialties include supporting women and couples after the loss of their pregnancy or newborn to help them grieve, heal and find new meaning in their lives while treasuring and honoring their babies. Additionally, I enjoy working with women during pregnancy and following the birth of their child to help create a motherhood mindset to thrive in their new role and minimize risk factors for developing post partum mood disorders. I have supported men and women through their struggles for over 20 years so they could live their lives more fully and without the burden of past traumas constantly holding them back. My clients report that with treatment they feel more supported and validated, have confidence in using powerful tools to help them through the worst of times and ultimately learn to move forward in their lives. Please don’t hesitate to call so we can discuss how I can best serve you. My clientele is diverse in culture, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and family makeup.