Shannon Almeida, LMFT
LMFT focusing on relationships, trauma, and anxiety
- Gender-affirming care
- Skills-based tools
- Support for caregivers
About Shannon Almeida
Shannon Almeida, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), brings a compassionate, action-oriented approach to supporting adults through identity shifts, self-esteem struggles, anxiety, and depression. She centers much of her clinical work on women and femmes, helping people deepen self-understanding while building practical strategies for personal growth that feel sustainable and aligned with their values.
As a queer, neurodivergent white woman living with chronic fatigue and pain, Shannon grounds her practice in lived empathy and cultural humility. She recognizes how individual concerns often intersect with wider social and global stressors, and she attends to how anxiety, grief, and burnout can intensify when people are also carrying systemic pressures. Transparency and authenticity shape her work, and she aims to foster trust, safety, and collaboration in the therapeutic relationship.
Shannon emphasizes gender-affirming care and supports clients navigating caregiving burdens, identity-based and systemic oppression stress, and the experience of trying to hold everything together. She also names and reflects on how her whiteness and social positioning influence her perspective, committing to ongoing unlearning, accountability, and using privilege to help create more equitable, affirming spaces.
Her practice favors practical, skills-based models such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, so sessions often focus on building tools that can be applied in daily life. That action-oriented work is balanced with influences from Narrative Therapy, systemic and relational approaches, trauma-informed care, and Positive Discipline for parents. Across all modalities she works from a feminist, inclusive, and anti-oppressive framework, keeping therapy collaborative and grounded while helping clients move from insight into meaningful action.
As a queer, neurodivergent white woman living with chronic fatigue and pain, Shannon grounds her practice in lived empathy and cultural humility. She recognizes how individual concerns often intersect with wider social and global stressors, and she attends to how anxiety, grief, and burnout can intensify when people are also carrying systemic pressures. Transparency and authenticity shape her work, and she aims to foster trust, safety, and collaboration in the therapeutic relationship.
Shannon emphasizes gender-affirming care and supports clients navigating caregiving burdens, identity-based and systemic oppression stress, and the experience of trying to hold everything together. She also names and reflects on how her whiteness and social positioning influence her perspective, committing to ongoing unlearning, accountability, and using privilege to help create more equitable, affirming spaces.
Her practice favors practical, skills-based models such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, so sessions often focus on building tools that can be applied in daily life. That action-oriented work is balanced with influences from Narrative Therapy, systemic and relational approaches, trauma-informed care, and Positive Discipline for parents. Across all modalities she works from a feminist, inclusive, and anti-oppressive framework, keeping therapy collaborative and grounded while helping clients move from insight into meaningful action.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Shannon Almeida have?
Shannon Almeida has 10 years of experience.
Is Shannon Almeida a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: IL LMFT 166.001408.
In which languages does Shannon Almeida provide therapy?
Shannon provides therapy in English.
Where is Shannon Almeida located?
Shannon is located in Illinois.
How can I work with Shannon Almeida as my therapist?
You can work with Shannon through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Shannon Almeida work with international clients?
Shannon Almeida does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Shannon Almeida cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Evidence-Based Approaches for Online Care
Shannon draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify their values and take committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. ACT is useful for addressing anxiety, low mood, and motivation challenges by teaching practical ways to live in line with what matters most.
She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a skills-based approach that teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. DBT can be especially helpful for managing intense emotions, improving communication, and reducing impulsive reactions.
Shannon incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, providing concrete techniques for coping with anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT sessions tend to be structured and focused on skills that translate into everyday routines.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shannon works with each person to explore their needs, goals, and preferences and tailors the combination of methods to fit the individual’s life and circumstances.
Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from their own environment, fit sessions into busy schedules, and use tools and skills between appointments with support from a licensed professional.