"The way I see it, life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad, but vice-versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things and make them unimportant."
Doctor Who (11th)
On a personal note
Shannon Barnes, CRC and LPC
My work in chronic illness and impairments came from my own life of watching or experiencing mental illness, chronic pain, or physical limitations and wanting to support others in those times. It often feels like no one else is there to understand you, like there is no way to cope and you have no sense of feeling like a whole person ever again.
I find my healing in many things, but mostly in nature and exercise. I also tend to take my own enjoyment out on a game console by taking out some monsters to save the world, especially if the game has some lighthearted sarcastic humor. But my ways are not the only ways and not what works for everyone. Lets find your soulful healing place whatever it may be and get to moving towards the days you want to be living.
"We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses."
Carl Jung
Education and background
The long way around
I hold a Master's Degree in Counseling from Portland State University. My education was focused in addressing how your health impediments are affecting your life and fulfillment. I have helped people to work through and manage many mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, life changes, processing recent health diagnosis, and ADD/ADHD.
I have been in mental health since 2000 starting my career working with disenfranchised youth in residential settings. I continued to support teenagers and their families through mental health experiences, homelessness and criminal activity, embracing their lifestyles, cultures and experiences to create solutions and develop new ideas. As I worked on my Masters degree I began to work with adults with chronic health and impairments in educational and vocational settings as well as severe mental health programs. I am constantly advocating for the rights of others in their needs and against the social stigmas that are there for mental health and disabilities. I continue to support people in all aspects of their life to live to their fullest.