“I help people who are longing for connection & community to find heartfelt connection through the use of Circles.”
Shannon Waliser
She/her/hers
Licensed in West Virginia and Pennsylvania
In-person Circles, Groups and Workshops
You are aching for connection with yourself and others. You are longing for a place where you can show up and just be the authentic you. Sometimes you wonder if the people in your life really see you for who you are at your core. Sure, you’re connected through technology and social media, but who can you really call and spend an afternoon with? Maybe you feel invisible, isolated, lack confidence or feel you just aren't good enough. Maybe you feel stuck in the constant chatter of self-criticism. You want to feel whole and accepted, seen and loved for who you are, imperfections and all.
You may have been in individual therapy and felt like you have accomplished a lot but are longing for something more. You crave human companionship and people who just get you. You don't need a therapy group, but you do want a therapeutic, healing experience where you can be seen for just who you are, where you feel the intimate connection of the other women in the room and learn to trust yourself and them at the same time.
Hello, I am Shannon ...
You sound like you feel just as I felt before I discovered the magic of Circles.
I had been looking for the right group modality for myself and my community for years, even completing advanced training in several...but there was always something stopping me from sharing them with my community.
Then the pandemic hit. It hit me like a ton of bricks. At times it felt hard to breathe and be in the world. At other times, I was alarmed by the dark thoughts that seemed to randomly float through my mind with no rhyme or reason.
At the same time, I moved my beloved in-person therapy practice to fully online. I still loved seeing my clients on the screen but I was no longer fulfilled in the same way as before. And the reality of what I have known for a long time settled in: I needed to change up how I work.
I have also known since sometime during the pandemic that groups were the answer and I have been unconsciously searching for the right modality. Now I have found it.
In the fall of 2022, I attended my first (of many to come) Circle Facilitators Retreat and it was magical. I have since been working with my mentor in Circles to prepare for leading my own Circles. In doing this work, I can feel myself coming alive with excitement.
As I continue to learn and practice the art of Circles, I have realized that leading Circles is in a way like coming home to myself. Circles allow me to embrace my feminine energy, to trust myself and the women in the room, to improvise based on the needs that show up in the moment and to transform the way I work and what I offer to my community. I am excited to be hosting Circles, to guide other women in dropping from head thinking into heart thinking, to embrace our embodied nature, our feminine qualities and to form Circles of women whose love and kindness will ripple out into our community and slowly one ripple at a time, change the world for the better.
What is it like working with me in a Circle…
The Circle is Brave Space, it takes courage to show up and at times the practices may feel uncomfortable. Circles are co-created by the participants, no two are the same. I as the facilitator will suggest and lead practices such as movement, guided meditation, writing, art creation or time in silence and other times the Circle will call us to co-create something new and unique that is representative of the individuals present.
Circles are embodied, heart centered work. In the Circle, my role as the facilitator is to guide participants to move from head thinking to heart thinking, to trust and believe in the magic and beauty of the Circle.
I know and believe things will change…
Healing has occurred in the Circle since the beginning of time. Peoples the world over have gathered in a Circle to celebrate in times of joy and to support each other in times of struggle. My belief and trust in this ancient practice is deep. At the same time, my years of experience as a clinical social worker who has dedicated my career to work with survivors of trauma has moved me towards creating a healing space that is based on community and connection.
But is there hope for me?
I believe that if you have the courage to come to a Circle there is hope. There is hope that you will experience what it is like to be deeply listened to, to be seen for who you are and to be loved for who you are, to experience the intimacy that occurs in the Circle.
I believe deeply in Circles, and I believe that you can be changed by them as well. There is space for you here. I hope that you’ll come and experience it for yourself.
Education and Credentials:
Master of Social Work
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Master of Public Administration
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology with minors in Psychology, Chemistry
Carroll College, Helena, MT
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
West Virginia License #: DP00942521 and Pennsylvania License #: CW022015
Advanced Trainings:
The Circle Facilitators’ Training
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma Themes—Online
Academy of Therapy Wisdom: Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), Led by Janina Fisher, Ph.D—Online
Georgia Ede, MD, PLLC, diagnosisdiet.com: Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training
The Center for Mind Body Medicine:
Mind, Mood and Food
Food As Medicine
Mind Body Medicine, Advanced Training
Mind Body Medicine, Professional Training
The Earthbody Institute:
Professional Online Ecotherapy Certificate Program—Level 1
Professional Ecotherapy Certificate Immersion Program–Level 2
The Postpartum Stress Center: Post Graduate Postpartum Depression Certification
The Ferentz Institute:
Level I Trauma Certification
Level II Trauma Certification
Hudson Valley Psychodrama Training Institute: Professional Training in Psychodrama, Sociometry & Group Psychotherapy
Let’s Work Together.
Other Fun Facts:
I am the owner and founder of Mind Body Wellness.
I love the work I do, both as a therapist and business owner.
I have been in private practice since 2009. My professional background is diverse — I’ve worked in a variety of settings: wilderness therapy, in-home family services, schools, residential and inpatient psychiatric centers and with children, adolescents and adults.
I am a life-long learner and have had extensive post-graduate training.
I am passionate about my work; I bring hope and compassion to all that I do. I am humbled and honored each time I am privileged to hear someone’s story and entrusted to guide them on their healing journey.
Oh, and I may swear on occasion — it’s not personal, I’m a passionate person. And sometimes, swear words are simply the right adjective for the situation.
When not in the office, you will likely find me outside enjoying nature in whatever season it happens to be. I love to read. I rarely watch TV or movies.