Looking For
What Are You Hoping To Get Out Of Coaching?
You Want to Be Understood
It’s no fun going to a coach and feeling misunderstood, getting interrupted or feeling like your coach is zoned out, doesn’t really care or isn’t being really present with you.
You Want To Feel Fully Accepted!
Especially when talking about intimate topics like sex and relationships, there’s no room for judgment! If you’ve gone to the effort to find a coach and make the time for and investment in a coaching package, you want to feel free to open up and really get the help you want and deserve.
You Want Personalized Guidance
You wanted to be guided towards what really resonates and feels intuitively right for you. And a cookie-cutter approach by a coach who is trying to fit you into a box isn’t going to get you there!
The Work:
You (and your partner) should be ready to do the work when we start coaching. If there is resistance to doing the work, we can explore that as part of the coaching process. But, there needs to at least be a willingness to look at things honestly and face them head on. If you can do that, we can achieve relationship greatness!
Before we can solve the problems, we have to truly understand the problems. This is actually an area where my clients tend to go wrong–they want to jump right into solution mode with their relationship partner(s). That tends not to work because without really taking the time to understand, we make assumptions that are wrong and therefore we don’t find the solution that is right. So . . . not only am I going to teach you a more effective way, I’m going to model it as your coach. I will take the time to learn about all aspects of your identity and history that are relevant to your sex & relationship goals. I also have a growing awareness for how our different identities intersect with each other and am dedicated to continuing to educate myself about race, gender, orientation, religion, age, differing abilities, etc. I don’t presume to know everything about someone else’s experience and enter each client relationship with a culturally humble attitude.
Humans are fascinating and that’s a big part of why I love my job. But . . . we are all kinda complex creatures at the end of the day. Some things are not so obvious! And guess what? You’re SO not the only one who has struggles when it comes to intimacy and relationships. Because of that, I spend a decent amount of time educating my clients about the change process, communication skills, attachment styles, etc. I want you to come out of this process feeling like you could coach a few other people in your life (if you wanted to . . . but I’m happy to take the referrals too, lol!).
I hope for each of my clients to be able to be in relationships and express themselves in a way that feels authentic and in alignment for them as an individual. It’s not about me projecting my values onto you . . . it’s about me helping you tune into your own and achieve alignment with that! That’s an exciting day’s work for me!
What I Offer
What is Heather like?
Heather is pretty casual and likes to make new clients feel welcome and at home in the coaching relationship. It doesn’t have to be a scary or intimidating process–you can expect some humor during sessions! She can be described as progressive in her views and incredibly open-minded (top 1% in Openness on the Big 5 Personality Test), so you can expect a non-judgmental attitude no matter what you bring to sessions.
Heather loves learning, interior design, exploring spirituality and intuition, playing drums, reading, spending time outside, cuddling her 2 cats and planning her next big adventure.
About Heather
What approach does Heather take?
Heather is very person-centered and rather than focusing on a specific technique to use with all people who come into her office, she focuses on what feels like the right fit for you and your goals. That said, she has a few favorites in her toolbox!
Holistic Health
Heather’s approach is rooted in holistic health and taking a mind-body-spirit approach.
Specifically, she knows way too much about genetic mutations and digestion (both of which impact mental health a lot!) and will probably refer you to a functional medicine doctor at some point if you have health complaints–get ready!
Attachment
Heather believes many of our concerns are related to underlying attachment wounds we’ve accumulated throughout life. She loves to educate clients about attachment and help them learn how to make healthy choices and set healthy boundaries in relationships.
Mindfulness
Heather has been a meditator since 2005 and officially Buddhist since 2009. She loves to incorporate elements of mindfulness into her work including meditation and compassion practices as well as non-judgment and acceptance.
Positive Psychology
Heather is a major cheerleader for her clients and loves to help people recognize and focus on what they’re good at and enjoy. Plus, research shows you make WAY more progress that way!
Internal Family Systems
Also called “parts work,” IFS helps clients get a better understanding of how various parts of themselves may be at odds, creating a sense of frustration or stuckness. Healing the relationship amongst our various parts can lead to great improvements in how we feel and function.
Psychoeducation
Heather loves bibliotherapy (aka. recommending books!) and will also teach what she can in-session, especially as it relates to healthy relationship dynamics, mindfulness and sexual wellness.
What approach does Heather take?
Heather is very person-centered and rather than focusing on a specific technique to use with all people who come into her office, she focuses on what feels like the right fit for you and your goals. That said, she has a few favorites in her toolbox!
Holistic Health
Attachment
Mindfulness
Psychoeducation
Positive Psychology
Client FAQs
What are your rates?
Individual Sessions
A limited number of individual sessions can be made available for those trying to decide on a package.
Concierge Clients (2 max at a time)
Concierge clients get my guaranteed availability between 9am-9pm within 24 hours of request. This package is ideal for someone whose “time is money” and who is dedicated to the coaching process and wants to address issues and goals as they come up. No additional fees for late cancellations or “no shows.” Access to Heather’s Vault of journaling prompts, meditation videos, communication exercises, sexual connection exercises & lifestyle recommendations. Month-to-month, can cancel at any time. Concierge packages start at $1800/mo.
Packages
Package rates are also available and are done on a custom basis, which we can discuss during the free consultation. Packages result in a lower per-session rate compared to individual sessions. Basic packages start at $1500 and go up from there. Here are some examples of potential packages:
- True Transformation Package: Includes ten 50-minute sessions, messaging between sessions & access to Heather’s Vault of journaling prompts, meditation videos, communication exercises, sexual connection exercises & lifestyle recommendations. Must be used within 5 months from date of purchase.
- Relationship Rockstar Package: Includes fifteen 80-minute sessions, a bundle of Heather’s recommended relationship books (mailed to you), messaging between sessions & access to Heather’s Vault of journaling prompts, meditation videos, communication exercises, sexual connection exercises & lifestyle recommendations. Must be used within 8 months of purchase.
- Couples Intensive. Great for diving into deep issues & getting a jump start on relationship health. 6 hours in a single day with a break for lunch.
Do you accept my insurance?
Heather is not in-network with any insurance plans. With out-of-network benefits, you pay the full fee upfront to the provider. Heather’s office can provide you with a Superbill (a detailed receipt that Heather will provide you with) upon request and you can submit that to your insurance company for potential partial reimbursement. Reimbursify is another tool that offers support in receiving reimbursement from your insurance company and simplifies the process for you.
We also recommend calling the Member Services phone number on the back of your insurance ID card and asking the following questions:
- Do I have a separate out-of-network deductible?
- What is my deductible(s)?
- Once I have met that deductible, what coverage will I receive?
- How do I submit my Superbill for reimbursement?
Do you offer psychotherapy too?
In short, no.
While Heather is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Certified Sex Therapist, she operates as a sex & relationship coach. This means that there is no medical model, diagnostic code, insurance plan or HIPAA involved. This allows for much more freedom in how treatment is approached & where clients are located as well as less pathologizing of sexual and relational dynamics.
How do I make an appointment?
Start with a 20-minute consultation to make sure it will be a good fit. If, for any reason, it is not a good fit, Heather will provide you with referrals who are a better fit for you! Please keep in mind that Heather is often booked out 1-2 months in advance. She often has cancellations, but may not be able to guarantee a regular appointment time right off the bat. This link will allow you to find a time on her calendar – Calendly – Heather Shannon, LCPC
INTAKE PAPERWORK - Do I need a printer to complete the paperwork?
No, we wouldn’t do that to you! You can fill everything out online using our secure, HIPAA-compliant portal–woohoo!
