Shannon Patterson, Ph.D. (she/her)
Welcome—I'm so glad you're here.
Reaching out for support isn't always easy, and you don't have to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Whether you're navigating an eating disorder, living with a chronic health condition, facing career challenges, or feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities, my goal is to create a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. I know that living with an eating disorder or a chronic health condition can affect every part of your life—your relationships, work, confidence, and sense of self. Therapy can help you untangle those challenges with someone who understands their complexity. Together, we'll make sense of what you're experiencing and work toward meaningful, lasting change.
I'm a licensed psychologist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Before opening my private practice, I spent nearly two decades working in a direct care role in various health care. Those experiences continue to shape my approach to therapy, helping clients shift the focus from what's the matter with them to what matters most to them.
In addition to working with clients, I enjoy teaching, training, supervising, and consulting with other health professionals. At the heart of my work is helping people to feel less alone and more hopeful as they navigate life's challenges.
More about me
Where have you trained and worked?
I’ve spent two decades training and working across respected academic and health care settings. My background includes work at Lehigh University Disability Support Services, the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and its Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, the VA Health Care System, Equip Health and the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation. I’ve also worked within university health services, home-based mental health care, and long-term care settings.
These experiences shaped how I work today - collaboratively, thoughtfully, and with an understanding of how mental health, physical health, and everyday life all connect.
What is a psychologist?
A psychologist is a doctoral-level mental health professional (PhD or PsyD) who is trained to assess, diagnose, and treat emotional, behavioral, and psychological concerns through evidence-based psychotherapy. Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists generally do not prescribe medication.
Psychologists and master’s-level clinicians (such as social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors) all provide valuable mental health care. The primary difference is in their training pathways: psychologists complete doctoral-level training that includes advanced study in psychological assessment, consultation and supervision, research, and psychotherapy, while master’s-level clinicians complete graduate-level training focused on providing mental health support services or psychotherapy within their areas of study. The most important factor in choosing a provider is finding someone whose training, experience, and approach align with your specific needs.
Who are you outside of your work?
Outside of my work as a psychologist, I enjoy spending time with my people and pets, fostering animals, being outdoors, reading, listening to live music, and appreciating the small moments that bring joy in everyday life.
I believe in the importance of having an identity beyond achievement and productivity. Just as I encourage my clients to make space for their values, relationships, health, and joy, I try to do the same in my own life.
Education
APA-Accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Psychology – Phoenix VA Health Care System
Primary Care Mental Health Integration; Advanced training in evidence-based therapy for eating disorders and health psychology
APA-Accredited Internship in Clinical Psychology – Phoenix VA Health Care System
Specialization in Health Psychology; advanced training in evidence-based therapy for eating disorders
Ph.D., Counseling Psychology – Lehigh University
M.Ed., Counseling & Human Services – Lehigh University
B.A. Psychology, Sociology; Certificates: Gender & Women’s Studies, Gerontology - University of Wisconsin-Madison
Certifications
Telepsychology Competencies Credential - National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Behavioral Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) – International OCD Foundation
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) Certificate - CREDO Oxford
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD Provider
Resources for Enhancing All Caregivers’ Health (REACH)- Caregiver Support Intervention
Professional Affiliations
Academy For Eating Disorders
Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies
International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
National Register of Health Service Psychologists
Credentials
Licensed Psychologist, State of Wisconsin (3603-57)
National Register Health Service Psychologist (56225)
Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (PsyPACT APIT;16356)
Select Clinical Training
Academy For Eating Disorders: Integrative Cognitive Affective Therapy for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder
American Diabetes Association:
DiabetesEducation 101 for the Behavioral Health Professional
Center for Body Trust: Motivational Interviewing for Weight Inclusive Care Providers; Introductory & Advanced Seminars
Center for Telepsychology Therapist Training on Prolonged Grief Therapy
Centre for Research on Eating Disorders at Oxford (CREDO) and the UW Milwaukee Depression Treatment Specialty Clinic: Web-Centered Training in Behavioral Activation for Depression
Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - CBT AR
Memorial Sloane Kettering Tobacco Treatment Specialist Training Program
Moffitt Cancer Center and NYU: Enriching Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Oncofertility
National Institute of Mental Health: Therapist Training for Anxiety Disorders
Penn Medicine: CBT for Binge Eating Disorder; CBT for Night Eating Syndrome
Penn Medicine Women’s Clinical Research Center: Mood and Nutrition Intervention in PCOS
Philadelphia Behavior Association: ACT and RFT in your clinical practice
Stanford University - FBT for Anorexia Nervosa Training
UC San Diego - Assessment and Management of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Eating Disorders
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
US Department of Veterans Affairs: Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Yale Stress Center: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction