Clinical work grounded in deep expertise and compassion.
Shane is an internationally recognized expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and a mental health leader whose work has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of clients around the world. He helps clients design and live meaningful lives in the face of emotional challenges and adversity, and provides training and consultation for clinicians.
Shane is a creative and passionate clinician who trained at Harvard Vanguard and UCSF and went on to develop and lead world-class mental health programs at Lyra Health. He is recognized for his deep clinical expertise and has trained thousands of therapists, coaches, and physicians in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and other evidence-based approaches. He teaches in the Department of Psychiatry at UCSF as an Assistant Clinical Professor and is the former President of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. The clinical outcomes of programs Shane has built and overseen have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Shane also provides executive coaching to impactful business leaders.
Three ways to work together.
Therapy
Psychotherapy grounded in ACTAcceptance and Commitment Therapy and other evidence-based approaches. The work is alive and focused on helping you develop a more flexible and compassionate relationship to your thoughts and feelings so that you can more consistently show up as the kind of person you want to be.
- Depression, anxiety, and panic
- Stress and burnout
- Perfectionism, self-criticism, and shame
- ADHD and neurodiversity
- Relationship conflicts and decisions
- Trauma and attachment difficulties
- Life-changing illness and existential suffering
- Navigating obstacles and uncertainty around becoming a parent
- Masculinity and fatherhood
- Improving the parent-child bond and child behavior
Consultation
Expert consultation for clinicians focused on implementing ACTAcceptance and Commitment Therapy and other evidence-based approaches with fidelity and precision, and navigating complex clinical presentations with presence and self-compassion.
Clinical consultation for coaches without clinical backgrounds, centered on maintaining an ethical scope of practice and addressing clinical issues that arise in coaching.
- Case consultation based in ACTAcceptance and Commitment Therapy, DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy, MIMotivational Interviewing, and CFTCompassion-Focused Therapy
- Behavioral case conceptualization
- Role play and experiential practice
- Support navigating client suicides, crises, and other painful events
Training
Experiential and interactive training in ACTAcceptance and Commitment Therapy and related approaches for clinicians and multidisciplinary teams. Training for coaches in mental health literacy and behavior change approaches.
- Single or multi-day workshops
- Highly curated experiences designed to facilitate experiential learning
- Demos, role play, experiential exercises, and feedback
How I Work
Everything I do is focused on behavior change because this is the only way we change as humans. When we are stuck or struggling, it's usually because we're doing something that doesn't work. Oof, that sounds harsh! Think about it this way: the only thing we can really control in life is our own behavior, so if the solution doesn't involve altering your approach then you're a much worse kind of stuck. Here are some of the values that inform how I work:
Authenticity
Whether I'm doing therapy, consultation, or training I bring my authentic self to the work — and I invite those I'm working with to do the same. The thread through all of the different types of work I do is helping others to connect to their own experience and what's important to them. This creates the context for profound changes in behavior — which is, in fact, the only way we change at all.
Rigor
I only utilize approaches that have been shown through extensive research to be effective. There are lots of things that might help. I'm committed to only offering things that we know do help. I ask a lot of my clients and in turn I bring an intense focus to every interaction.
Compassion
When we feel safe and let our guard down, we can be the best versions of ourselves. All human experiences are welcome in our work together. Whatever shows up for you will be met with kindness, understanding, and curiosity. I'll help you learn to meet yourself with the same qualities, which is one of the most powerful tools for behavior change.
Creativity
When something's not working, it takes creativity to find a new path forward. In our work I'll offer a fresh perspective on relating to stuckness — as an opportunity to courageously confront what's not working and get deeply curious about what could. I'll invite you to experiment with new behaviors, learn from what works (and what doesn't), and evaluate the impact of our work by the extent to which you're living your life in ways that matter to you.
Purpose
I will never ask you to do anything without a clear purpose. The work will be grounded in your values — the defining qualities of who you want to be, and how you want to show up in the world. Our behavior is shaped by so many influences, from our biology to our thoughts and emotions. Choosing to swim against the current and ground our behavior in our values, rather than letting it be dictated by our fears and whims, is how lives are transformed.
Measurement
We will use validated tools to measure the impact of our work and ensure you are seeing the change you are seeking. I'll ask you to fill out brief questionnaires throughout our work and I'll check in with you regularly to make sure we're on the right track.
Cost and reimbursement.
My practice is private pay, meaning I don't bill insurance. Your health insurance may provide coverage, and I can provide you a superbill to seek out-of-network reimbursement.
I offer sliding scale fees for clients experiencing financial hardship. We can discuss cost in more depth on our consultation call.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Let's make sure it's a fit.
I work with a small number of clients at a time and take care to ensure we are well matched. I've found it's most helpful to set up a brief consultation call before committing to working together, and if I'm not the right fit I'll offer referrals to a trusted colleague.
My license allows me to provide therapy to clients who reside in California.
Looking for executive coaching instead?
Coaching and therapy are different services with different scopes, and I keep them separate on purpose. If you are a leader looking for performance and leadership work rather than clinical care, check out Actual Coaching.