Meet Shannon Braxton

We recently connected with Shannon Braxton and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.

My ability to communicate effectively comes from a desire for connection. It used to be all about people-pleasing for me. I would intensely focus on what everyone else needed by constantly seeking their opinion and feedback. Asking questions, using reflections to make sure I understood what they really meant. My goal was to make them happy. It was actually quite exhausting, though, trying to anticipate everyone’s needs. I abandoned myself, and this led to dissatisfaction and burnout.
When I first started to make changes to the people-pleasing, it felt a lot like selfishness. It was unnatural to focus on my needs and consider what I wanted in any given situation. But it was kind of like learning a new skill, with practice it became more comfortable. I realized that there is value to both my own opinion along with others’. Instead of focusing solely on seeking feedback, I also learned to give feedback in a respectful way, making myself clear to others as well. I learned that conflict can be a good thing, and that it can lead to shared problem solving. When I’m able to speak my own truth while also acknowledging the desires of the other person, I end up feeling more connected and satisfied by the conversation.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a licensed professional clinical counselor in Ohio, as well as a certified yoga teacher. My passion is to provide support and healing to folks who have experienced childhood trauma and struggle with self-confidence, anxiety, and relationships. I do this with a variety of trauma-focused modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Polyvagal Theory, which help to safely address the effects of the trauma in a way that lets the client be in control of the process. It’s such an honor to witness a client light up when she’s able to feel relief for the first time in years, sometimes for the first time ever!

In addition to this, I incorporate trauma-sensitive approaches in my yoga classes, using somatic approaches, grounding and breathing practices, and mindful movement. This is an excellent add-on to therapeutic work because it allows folks to feel safe in their bodies and enhance the mind-body connection. In the same way, agency and choice are reinforced so they can feel empowered throughout the practice.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that were useful to my career as a therapist and private practice owner were determination, analysis, and structure. First and foremost, my determination is what kept me hopeful during inevitable setbacks. I had a vision for what I wanted for my career, and there were times in which I doubted my ability to get there, but there was always that spark within me that was determined to find a way. And that’s where analysis and structure came in handy to help me get there. I analyzed my own strengths and weaknesses, and sought out resources both online and in-person from peers to help me fill in the gaps. I organized spreadsheets with specific tasks to keep me on track. For others who are starting out, I would recommend getting a good understanding of what your vision is, and why you want it. From there, spend A LOT of time in the planning and organizing phases developing short and long term goals so you know exactly what to expect from yourself. And don’t forget to celebrate the small wins so you can keep the motivation when times are tough.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

My ideal client is someone who has felt anxious and insecure for as long as they can remember. Their childhood wasn’t easy but they’ve done everything in their power to try to overcome and create a good life. Personal growth is important to them, but that can create a pattern of perfectionism or people pleasing. They struggle with certain relationships in their lives, and can get easily overwhelmed. They want to feel more in control of their life and get unstuck from the pain of past trauma, so they can be confident and finally feel peace.

I provide trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to get straight to the heart of what this type of client needs – real, long-lasting, and inspiring change. I take a personalized approach to each and every client, meeting them exactly where they are so they feel supported and encouraged throughout the entire process.

Trauma-sensitive Yoga classes (individual and support group style) are also offered as a supportive addition to therapy. This is perfect for someone who experiences chronic tension or feels disconnected from their body and wants to feel connected, grounded, and at ease.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://affirmedcounselingohio.com/