Community Highlights: Meet Shannon Connery of Shannon Connery, Ph.D., LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Connery.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a clinical psychologist who treats adults suffering with a variety of issues from trauma to depression. I’ve begun seeing more couples in the last few years, as the pandemic made us acutely aware of any difficulties in our relationships. I started out as a police psychologist years ago, treating first responders after the Columbine High School massacre. I transitioned into private practice after having children.

A decade ago, my world fell apart and I went from seemingly “having it all” to divorced, shocked, and broke. I thought I’d followed all the rules and still, somehow, things went terribly wrong. That’s when I started to research happiness and what genuinely helps us feel empowered, grateful and happy. I developed a program that I use with my clients, started a podcast called Fix Yourself with Shannon Connery, and created a course called the Pace Academy on Teachable. I now live in a way that creates genuine happiness, based on what the research tells us, not advertising companies.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey as not been smooth. I had to lose it all and face every fear I had in order to live the life I now do.

I had believed, like so many women, that happiness comes from looking a certain way, having a family and acquiring more stuff. The truth that I learned the hard way is that none of that is true. Happiness comes from what I term PACE. It is from having Pleasure, Accomplishment, Connection, and Exercise, all at optimal levels for each person.

As you know, we’re big fans of your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am an independent practitioner of adult psychology. I specialize in people who want to go from good to great. What sets me apart is that I am wholistic and research based. I see people as people and not as diagnoses. If someone has depression, the depression becomes the symptom and the question I ask is why? Is it food, inflammation, grief, trauma, or low serotonin? Is it lack of connection or no exercise? Most doctors hear depression and prescribe an anti-depressant. I believe we are all struggling from the influences of a culture that is not focused on mental health and happiness.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I live what I preach. I know that happiness is an action, not just an emotional state. It takes work and dedication.

Contact Info:

• Email: shannon@shannonconnery.com
• Website: shannonconnery.com
• Instagram: @thehappinessgain
• Twitter: @sconneryphd

Image Credits:
Photos by Jenny Marvin