Paula Shannon is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist at Samaritan Center, where she provides counseling services with a focus on trauma-informed care. With more than 20 years of experience in the mental health field and over a decade as a licensed clinician, Paula brings deep expertise in working with children, adolescents, families, and adults across diverse settings.
Paula is passionate about providing spiritually integrated care, including Christian-based counseling. Her strengths-based, client-centered approach creates a safe and supportive environment where individuals can heal, grow, and thrive.
Her professional background includes therapy in adoption preservation, school-based mental health, corrections mental health (including transgender care coordination and protection), and community-based services for children, adolescents, families, and adults. Paula specializes in trauma work and is trained in EMDR, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and attachment-based approaches. She earned her Master of Social Work from St. Ambrose University and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Knox College.