My Approach

I'm Amber Shanahan, a trauma-informed counsellor working with people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, find themselves caught in familiar patterns, or are trying to make sense of how past experiences continue to affect them.

Earlier in my life, ongoing health challenges led me to explore many different approaches. While some offered temporary relief, few created lasting change. Later, my son's prolonged hospitalisation following medical errors brought a different understanding of stress, safety, and the impact difficult experiences can have on us. It was a turning point that led me back to school in midlife and set me on a new path.

I began by studying nutrition because I wanted to understand health at its roots. This led me to explore the connections between physical and emotional health, and eventually to the nervous system, somatic approaches, trauma, attachment, and counselling.

One thing that has stayed with me throughout this journey is that many of the patterns we struggle with developed for a reason. They may have helped us navigate difficult experiences or circumstances, even if they no longer serve us in the same way today. I approach these patterns with curiosity, compassion, and respect rather than seeing them as something to fix.

You may find yourself reacting in ways you don't quite understand, feeling stuck in familiar patterns, or struggling with things that are difficult to put into words. In our work together, we'll make room to explore what's behind these experiences, with curiosity rather than judgement, and at a pace that feels right for you.