MEET SHAWNDA

A woman sitting on a white textured sofa, smiling and looking down. She wears glasses, a brown cardigan, a cream-colored top, and green pants. Behind her, there's a colorful wall with an abstract rainbow design, a shelf with books and a plant, and a modern floor lamp with a globe-shaped shade. A decorative cushion with black and white stripes and fringes is beside her.

Shawnda O’Briant-Noone

she/her

Marriage and Family Therapy Associate

Supervised by Laura Durkin, PhD, LMFT

Whatever story brought you here, you are welcome to come as you are.

I came to this work with a deep belief that people are more than what they’ve survived, that your story holds wisdom, not shame. I know what it’s like to long for a space where you don’t have to explain your humanness, and that’s the kind of space I try to offer every day. I believe healing begins with being witnessed. When we’re seen without judgment, we can begin to reconnect with ourselves and the worthiness we may have forgotten along the way.

I work with adults and young adults navigating anxiety, trauma (CPTSD and PTSD), chronic illness, grief, identity exploration, and relationship challenges. Many of the people I work with are deep feelers, high achievers, intellectualizers, or folks who’ve learned to show up for others before themselves.

My approach is experiential, somatic (body-oriented), and trauma-informed. We’ll tune in to what you feel, sense, and carry; not just what you say. Through breath, imagery, movement, or grounding practices, we’ll deepen awareness, tend to your nervous system, and reconnect with the wisdom already within you.

I offer a warm, grounding space that invites curiosity, slowness, and choice. Clients often describe therapy with me as grounding and collaborative. A space where they feel deeply seen, supported, and able to gently reconnect with themselves with more grace. There’s room for humor, too, and for the kind of honesty that can feel both vulnerable and empowering. Whether you come in as an individual or as part of a relationship system, you’ll be met with an understanding that things aren’t always simple, with thoughtful responsiveness and care that honors your lived experience.

I also hold a systemic lens, understanding that we're shaped by our environments, identities, and relationships, including the ones we bring into the therapy room. I'm attentive to the subtle dynamics that can show up between us, so this space can feel more collaborative and centered on what matters to you. When working with those in partnerships (couples, polycules, best friends, business partners, and beyond), I'm not here to take sides. I help each person feel heard and understood, guiding the process toward deeper connection, clarity, and shared understanding.

Therapy with me is deeply human. We’ll explore what’s been carried and what’s been buried, while making space for what’s possible. This is a space where all of you is welcome— including the parts still becoming.

A woman with wavy brown hair, glasses, and a black cardigan sitting on a beige couch with decorative pillows, holding a notebook. Green plants are hanging above her in a cozy indoor setting.

Training and Education

Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Pacific Lutheran University

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Washington

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II: Complex Trauma

  • Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification

  • Transform Trauma Recovery with Polyvagal Theory Certification

  • Certified Grief Informed Professional

  • Grief Care Professional Certificate

  • Parts Work Trauma Specialist

  • Gottman Level 1 + 2 Certification

  • E-RYT 200HR Yoga Teacher Certification + 50HR Yin Yoga Teacher Certification

Modalities + Theories I work from

  • A present-focused approach that helps you engage with your emotions, body, and inner world through direct experience, not just talk.

  • A compassionate, nonjudgmental approach that trusts you as the expert of your own experience and centers your autonomy.

  • A body-based approach that supports healing by tuning into physical sensations, nervous system cues, and embodied patterns.

  • An approach that sees you within the larger web of your relationships, culture, and environment—understanding how those systems shape your experiences.

  • A relational lens that explores how early bonds impact how you connect, trust, and show up in relationships today.

  • An approach that helps you connect with the protective, reactive, and vulnerable parts of you, so they feel more understood, less alone, and better supported.

  • You probably see this term used a lot. In my work, a trauma-informed approach means we’ll move at your pace, with care for your nervous system, your autonomy, and your story. It also means being mindful of power dynamics, recognizing how systems and histories shape our lives, including the therapy space. Together, we co-create a space where you define what safety feels like. This approach centers your dignity, honors your resilience, and makes room for the full complexity of your lived experience.

A little more about me

When I’m not in therapist mode, I’m usually recharging through things that bring joy and connection: painting, moving my body, getting into a good book, or playing video games. I love catching live music (or spinning vinyl at home), spending time with friends, and finding new places to explore around the PNW with my partner and our two dogs. Meditation and gardening are also part of my routine, they help me slow down, reset, and stay connected to myself.