It's Complicated

Shannon Leigh

(she/her)

Counsellor & Couples Counsellor

Verified by It's Complicated
Available for new clients

I combine CBT and DBT with a focus on the unconscious stories that shape how we think, feel, and act. Together, we explore patterns and build strategies for lasting emotional balance and change.

I specialise in:

At a glance
Taberno, SpainAvailable online only
Experienced on It's ComplicatedAbout 5 years and 1130+ sessions on It's Complicated
Offers free 40 minute introductory callThis provider offers a free introductory call
Note from ShannonGetting in touch could be the first step to changing things!
Illustration of a smiling sun peeking over a cloud, symbolizing warmth and positivity for connecting with the therapist.
Usually responds within 8 hours

About me

Hello, I’m Shannon,

A psychologist/counsellor specialising in Trauma, anxiety, relationships and BPD.

My journey into therapy began with an interest in understanding how our experiences shape the way we see ourselves, our relationships and the world around us. I became particularly interested in the ways that difficult experiences can influence our emotional responses and patterns of behaviour, sometimes long after the original experience has passed. Since then, I have developed a particular interest in helping people understand themselves more deeply, navigate difficult experiences and build healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Over the years, I have worked with individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of challenges, including with individuals and couples experiencing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties, emotional regulation, low self-esteem, life transitions and the impact of difficult or traumatic experiences. My experience has taught me that there is no single approach that works for everyone. Every person brings their own history, personality, relationships, values and circumstances into therapy, which is why I believe therapy should be individualised, collaborative and flexible.

My therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, direct, compassionate, practical, non-judgemental. I aim to create an environment where you can feel safe enough to explore difficult thoughts, emotions and experiences while also feeling supported to make meaningful changes.

I draw upon a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology and Mindfulness-based approaches. I also have certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), which I use when working with couples who want to improve their emotional connection and relationship.

I believe therapy should be more than simply talking about problems. While having a space to be heard and understood is incredibly important, I also want clients to leave sessions with greater insight, practical tools and a clearer understanding of how they can move forward. Where appropriate, I incorporate exercises and strategies that can be used between sessions and within everyday life.

One of the things I value most about being a therapist is being able to meet people where they are and create a space where they feel truly heard and understood. I find it incredibly rewarding to see clients develop greater self-awareness, begin to understand the reasons behind their thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and discover that they have more choices and possibilities than they may have initially believed. Watching someone grow in confidence and begin to make meaningful changes in their life is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.

I also recognise that starting therapy can feel daunting. You may not know exactly what you need, where to begin, or even whether therapy is right for you. You don't need to have everything figured out before reaching out. My role is to meet you where you are, understand what you are experiencing and work collaboratively with you to identify where you would like to go from there.

Outside of my professional work, I’m a passionate animal lover and enjoy spending time with my pets. I also love crochet and find it a relaxing and creative way to unwind. Living near the coast, I particularly enjoy spending time at the beach and snorkelling whenever I can.

Ultimately, my aim is to provide a space where you feel heard, respected, understood and supported, while helping you develop the skills and confidence to create lasting change.

If you feel ready to take the first step, I would be happy to hear from you.

I speak:

EnglishSpanish

Location:

04692 Taberno, Spain

Media Gallery

Approach

Treatment Approaches
CBT: Cognitive behavioural therapyRecommended for those looking for practical support and accountability to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors.
Couples therapySupport for couples working through problems and who want to gain insight into the relational dynamics that contribute to the problem.
DBT: Dialectical behaviour therapyRecommended for those who want to learn skills to manage intense emotions and improve their relationships, especially if they feel easily overwhelmed.
EFT: Emotionally focused therapyRecommended for couples or individuals who want to strengthen emotional connections in relationships by exploring feelings and attachment.
MindfulnessMindfulness is the process of maintaining a purposeful moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surrounding environment.

My approach combines evidence-based methods with personalized strategies to support individuals and organizations on their journey toward a conscious and fulfilling life. I aim to equip people with the skills to manage both mind and spirit, guiding those ready for change by providing practical tools for transformation.

I offer a broad range of therapy modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, and Mindfulness, alongside innovative approaches I find particularly effective. My practice includes individual, couples, and follow-up sessions, with a hybrid model that combines online therapy, supportive exercises, and practical tools for home use.

For couples, I am certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), a structured, short-term approach (8–20 sessions) based on attachment theory. EFT helps partners improve emotional connection and satisfaction by exploring underlying attachment patterns that drive conflict and distance.

The core values of my practice are empathy, competence, flexibility, safety, confidentiality, and solution-focused care. I take a holistic approach, valuing cultural and linguistic adaptability, and I aim to convey trust and professionalism through my empathetic, respectful, and informed approach.

I also offer short-term sessions to prevent minor issues from escalating, creating a space where you feel supported while actively shaping a more satisfying life. My goal is to listen, understand, and help you find relief in the short term while giving you the tools and wisdom to navigate similar challenges in the future.

Start the conversation today—discover a new perspective on yourself and the world around you.

Experience

7 years in practice1130+ sessions on It's ComplicatedAbout 5 years at It's Complicated

Yes — you're in the right place. 😊

Your current 210 × 297 mm is A4.

Change it to:

  • Ancho (Width): 148 mm

  • Alto (Height): 210 mm

  • Unidades: mm

So it should look like:

148 × 210 mm

Then tap “Copiar y redimensionar”.

I'd choose Copiar y redimensionar rather than Redimensionar este diseño, because it keeps your original A4 flyer intact and creates a separate A5 version.

⚠️ One thing to check afterwards: Canva may move or shrink some of your text/images when converting it. Open the new A5 version and check that your phone/WhatsApp number and main heading are still large and readable.

2018 PHD Psychology (Bsc Honours) from the Open University

2019-2020 Masters in Third generational therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy with the International University of Valencia

2025- Certification in EFCT with the ICEEFT organisation improve this for my counselling profile

Absolutely. For a professional counselling/therapy profile, I'd make it sound polished and credible while keeping it concise:

Education & Professional Training

BSc (Hons) Psychology — The Open University
2018

MSc / Postgraduate Training in Third-Wave Therapies
International University of Valencia | 2019–2020
Specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)
ICEEFT | 2025

Or, if you want it to sound a little warmer and more impressive for a client-facing counselling profile, I'd use:

Qualifications & Specialist Training

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology, The Open University — 2018

  • Postgraduate training in Third-Wave Therapies, International University of Valencia — 2019–2020
    Including CBT, ACT and DBT

  • Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), ICEEFT — 2025

One important point: you wrote “PHD Psychology (BSc Honours)”. A BSc (Hons) is a Bachelor's degree, not a PhD, so I would definitely change that to BSc (Hons) Psychology on your profile.

Also, if the 2019–2020 qualification was not actually an MSc, I would not call it an MSc. We can phrase it as “Postgraduate Training in Third-Wave Therapies” or use the exact qualification title.

For a counselling profile, I'd favour the second version because clients don't need a long academic description — they need to quickly see your psychological background and specialist therapeutic training.

2020-today
Running a Private practice called 'Feeling and Healing Psychotherapy' Working online as a Psychotherapist independently has allowed me to gain experience with working with clients with different backgrounds and experiences. This includes working with people with major anxiety disorder to couples wanting to work on their relationships. Clients found me through using Freelance websites such as It’s complicated, Psychology Today, It’s complicated and more. Contact between us was mainly through videoconference, emails, and chat. This experience has helped me improve the important skills as a counsellor; being compassionate, being in tune with the clients and their needs and wants, being authentic and reliable, and building a trusting rapport with the client.
2020-2021
Counselling in training with Fernando Herrer. I had the pleasure of working with one of the most experienced and professional psychotherapists in the field of Acceptance and Commitment therapy. He taught me how to perform ACT sessions from start to finish. I have had extensive practice using these structured sessions in my own practice and have had regular successful results.
2020-2021
Counselling in training with Jose Olid. During this training, I would accompany Jose alongside other people in his sessions to learn from his technique. He also showed me commonly used techniques used in the Cognitive Behavioural Field to treat mostly anxiety and depression.
2020
Masters (MC) in 3rd Generational Cognitive Behavioural Therapies.
2019
Bachelors (Honours) in Psychology with The Open University. Make this sound better for my counselling client profile

Absolutely. For a client-facing counselling/psychotherapy profile, I'd make this more professional, warm and confident, while avoiding language that sounds overly academic or makes claims about treatment outcomes.

Professional Experience & Training

2020–Present | Founder & Psychotherapist — Feeling and Healing Psychotherapy
Private Practice | Online

Since 2020, I have independently run my private practice, Feeling and Healing Psychotherapy, providing online psychotherapy and counselling to individuals and couples from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

My work has included supporting clients experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional difficulties, relationship challenges and difficulties associated with life transitions, as well as working with couples who wish to improve their communication and strengthen their relationships.

Working independently has enabled me to develop extensive experience in building a strong therapeutic relationship through video consultations, email and online communication. I place great importance on creating a therapeutic environment that is compassionate, authentic, non-judgemental and safe, where clients feel heard, understood and able to explore their experiences openly.

My approach is collaborative and client-centred, adapting therapy to each individual's needs, circumstances and personal goals.

2020–2021 | Advanced Training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Training with Fernando Herrer

Completed extensive practical training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) under the guidance of an experienced psychotherapist specialising in ACT. This included learning how to structure and deliver ACT interventions from assessment through to treatment, alongside extensive practical application within my own therapeutic work.

2020–2021 | Clinical Training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Training with Jose Olid

Undertook practical clinical training and observation alongside Jose Olid, developing experience in commonly used Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and interventions, particularly in relation to anxiety and depression.

2020 | Postgraduate Training in Third-Wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapies
International University of Valencia

Specialist training incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

2019 | BSc (Hons) Psychology
The Open University

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, providing a broad academic foundation in psychological theory, human behaviour, mental health and psychological development.

Education

Qualifications & Specialist Training

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology, The Open University — 2018
  • Postgraduate training in Third-Wave Therapies, International University of Valencia — 2019–2020
    Including CBT, ACT and DBT
  • Certified in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), ICEEFT — 2025

Services

Intro Call

Free • 40 min • Online

Individual Session

€77 • 55 min • Online

45 minute online session

€62 • 45 min • Online

Couples Session

€77 • 1 hr • Online

Insurances

Private InsurancePrivate Pay
At a glance
Taberno, SpainAvailable online only
Experienced on It's ComplicatedAbout 5 years and 1130+ sessions on It's Complicated
Offers free 40 minute introductory callThis provider offers a free introductory call
Note from ShannonGetting in touch could be the first step to changing things!
Illustration of a smiling sun peeking over a cloud, symbolizing warmth and positivity for connecting with the therapist.
Usually responds within 8 hours

Explore more

My offerings

Next available: Sep 29