Shannan Marano, ACA

Shannan Marano is an ACA counsellor with three years' experience working across community settings. She has worked in Aboriginal Medical Services, women's refuges and employment services. Shannan focuses on supporting people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strains, trauma and addiction. She aims to treat everyone with respect, sensitivity and compassion while tailoring sessions to each person's needs.

Shannan adapts her approach to the situation and the person in front of her. She uses practical conversations that help people notice patterns, try small changes and build clearer goals. Sessions move at a pace the client feels comfortable with, and she prioritises emotional safety in the room.

Her work covers a wide range of concerns including attachment and abandonment issues, grief and end-of-life conversations, body image and eating-related matters, and substance use. She also supports people dealing with family of origin wounds, communication problems and feelings of isolation or shame. The list of areas reflects common themes she sees in community practice.

Shannan draws on several therapy styles such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and client-centred ways of working to suit different needs. She will work with a person to decide which tools and ideas fit best for them. This is a collaborative process, focused on small steps and practical strategies.

If you choose to begin, the profile notes that therapy starts by completing a short matching questionnaire and then scheduling sessions based on availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for stress, anxiety and making life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) breaks issues into thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses simple exercises to test and change unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, low mood and coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns influence current connections and can be useful for attachment, abandonment and relationship concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which mix of methods fits a person's goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as needs shift and progress is reviewed.

The profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around family, work and caregiving responsibilities. It also allows shorter check-ins when that suits, or sessions without video if bandwidth or comfort is a concern. Appropriately qualified therapists can adapt ACT, CBT and attachment-focused conversations to online formats, using practical exercises and homework that fit everyday life.