Love has an immense ability to help heal the devastating wounds that life sometimes deals us. Love also enhances our sense of connection to the larger world. Loving responsiveness is the foundation of a truly compassionate, civilized society.
-Sue Johnson, Hold Me Tight: Your Guide to the Most Successful Approach to Building Loving Relationships
I’m Shannon McCune.
I trust in the power of strengthening our closest relationships as a way to create lasting and positive changes in our lives.
I have been honored to learn alongside people from all walks of life and across the lifespan, and work at the intersection of counseling, social services, education and equine therapy.
Prior to Madrona, I had the honor of being an Agency-Affiliated Counselor in Washington State for 5 years providing in-home Functional Family Therapy. Over 8 years, I worked with children, youth, and veterans with histories of trauma in an equine therapy program. Throughout my decades-long career, I have led parenting and family education programs in metro Vancouver d rural Washington, shaping programs to better serve Indigenous families and other underrepresented demographic groups. I've supported teens in homeless shelters, wilderness programs, and worked as a case manager.
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington (MC 61022636). I hold a post-master’s certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University (2023), an M.Ed in Adult Education from the University of British Columbia (2009), and a B.S. in Sociology from Brigham Young University (2005).
I have sought extensive training in Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and training in the Gottman Couples Method, as each has a strong evidence base of benefitting couples.
Personally, I delight in being a mother to four kids in elementary to high school. I am grateful for the joy, challenge, and learning that I experience alongside my husband of nearly 2 decades.
When we love our partner well, we offer a blueprint for a loving relationship to our children and their partners. Better relationships between love partners are not just a personal preference, they are a social good. Better love relationships mean better families. And better, more loving families mean better, more responsive communities.
-Sue Johnson, Hold Me Tight: Your Guide to the Most Successful Approach to Building Loving Relationships
understanding, open-mindedness & insight
Our closest relationships can empower us to become our best selves AND they usually invite our growth in ways that challenge us. Relationships with our partners, families, and closest loved ones provide the opportunities for some of our greatest struggles and deepest joys. I have sought training in therapies that have been shown to help couples and families rebuild their relationships into safe havens. When we feel safe and secure within our closest relationships, we are free to be more curious, open, and take more initiative in all other aspects of our lives.
I have participated in individual and couples counseling myself and understand how much courage and effort it takes to show up. Counseling has the power to transform partnerships and families, and I am here to help you feel seen, heard, and understood. Through our work, I will offer insights and tools to shift the patterns and dynamics in your relationship from those that cause pain, frustration, anxiety, and loneliness to ways of connecting that can bring greater ease, joy, and connection.
Past clients have described me as being understanding, open-minded, encouraging, and insightful. I enjoy connecting with people of different social, economic, ethnic, and cultural experiences. It is easy for me to see and honor the best in others. I invite you to bring your whole self to therapy – including your sense of humor.
emotion-focused therapy
Emotion-Focused Therapy has been shown to create long-term shifts in connection and improvements in areas such as depression and anxiety. In studies, over 70% of couples in distress have experienced long-term improvement after participating in Emotion-Focused Therapy. I have completed my externship(no s) with this model. I am partway through the lengthy process of becoming a certified EFT therapist with the International Centre for Excellence in Emotion-Focused Therapy.
MARATHON COUPLES THERAPY
Connie Feutz, a highly sought after couples therapist and former master trainer with the Gottman Institute, has developed a unique marathon couples model. This model draws not only on Gottman’s and EFT’s strengths, but also brings in elements of mindfulness and nonviolent communication. I am grateful to have Connie as my mentor and supervisor.
gottman institute
I have used understanding and tools from the Gottmans’ extensive research on relationships in my counseling work for years. I have completed their Level 1 training in couples therapy.
functional family therapy
Functional Family Therapy is an evidence-based approach to help struggling families shift in small, obtainable ways with solid, long-term improvements. I have been through extensive training and supervision for over five years in this model.
culturally responsive counseling
I have enjoyed working alongside clients of widely varying circumstances, beliefs, identities, orientations, and experiences for the past 16 years. I deeply value the opportunity to come to know and learn from each person.
I seek to provide affirmation for those who experience discrimination as a result of immigration status, race, sexual or gender identity. I am continually seeking to grow and learn in order to offer culturally responsive counseling.
honoring your wisdom
Therapy is meant to be a place free of judgment, where you can share your full self, with all of its complexities.
I welcome the inclusion of your faith or spirituality in our work. If it is important to you, it is important to your journey with me.
If you are not oriented toward spirituality or religion, I affirm your choice. Our work will be directed by the values and perspectives that guide you.
I grew up in a faith community, have lived my own wandering path, and have seen both the gifts and the challenges that spiritual orientations and faith communities can bring to people of many different walks of life. I have navigated to a place of peace and gratitude in my own faith and respect that each person finds their own way. I am prepared to support couples and families for whom having differing spiritual orientations is one of the challenges with which they grapple.
Contact me
For questions about the process or availability, please reach out to me via email or schedule a free consultation here.
I prefer to meet with both partners at the same time. The purpose of a consultation is for us to meet, ask each other questions, and determine if I might be a good fit for your needs. This is also the place for you to share more personal information as needed. I strongly encourage you to schedule a free video consultation with me to avoid sending private information via email. Existing clients may message me through my confidential client portal.
shannon@madronarelationships.com
If you have an emergent need, please call 911, go directly to the nearest Emergency Department, or call your County Crisis Line or text the Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Additional crisis lines can be found below:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
24-Hr Crisis Connections Line (Washington State): 866-427-4747
Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQIA+): 1-866-488-7386