Shawn Polivoi

Hello, my name is Shawn Polivoi, a therapist licensed in California as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) residing in Northern California. My approach to therapy is to meet people where they are at with the goal of helping them where they want to be. I have expertise and comfort working with all age groups, most recently having worked with adults and the elder population. I am experienced in working with people struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma.

My approach

While versed and experienced in a number of therapeutic approaches, I'd best describe my style as Eclectic and person-centered. In general, I utilize cognitive and behavioral approaches to help identify difficult emotions which may lead to ineffective behaviors; recognizing these behaviors serve (or served) a purpose. Understanding that, we'd then work together to identify new behaviors that help achieve the goals you'd want. Throughout, we'll test different approaches until we find one that works.

My focus

I am quite comfortable sitting with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma experiences. Inherently, the emotions and thoughts connected are valuable and important. In my work with clients, the goal is to help identify sources of these emotions, accept them, and develop helpful thought patterns so as not to feel stuck. I appreciate and enjoy working with clients of all age ranges and backgrounds.

My communication style

When working with me, you can expect to find me to be calm and a good listener. You'll notice that if we are venturing to an area that I notice is troubling for you, you might hear me check in to understand how you are feeling, emotionally and physically. This will be to help you and I recognize triggers and cues we can reference later on in conversations. You'll also find me to be curious and non-judgmental. I learned long ago that none of us is perfect; we all have room for growth. I really enjoy and appreciate hearing how different people view the world. I offer thoughts and opinions on what I hear. And I welcome feedback, and even disagreement, during the therapeutic process. That's part of what makes the process so engaging.

My journey to mental healthcare

As a younger person, I was simultaneously intrigued by human interactions, and also very afraid of them. A painfully shy child and teenager, I cloaked myself in studies and mental pursuits. I had friends here and there, though was also afraid of really connecting with people. To be honest, I didn't think very highly of myself. When I went to college, I remember very clearly having a realization that I, like everyone else, was here to improve myself in some way. I also realized I had a choice about how I was going to feel about myself, and how I was going to portray myself to others. At that moment, a seed was planted that lead me to believe deeply, and fully, that despite what challenges we may have had to experience, or those we are experiencing now, we ultimately have the choice to respond in a way that leads us to our light, to the selves we wish to be. And now, I feel driven in this work to help others experience this awareness, planting this seed, for themselves. To be able to feel that despite, or more accurately because of, the experiences we have, we can grow and develop our skills and abilities to realize our goals and dreams.

My goals for you

Goal setting is a shared process. After spending some time listening and getting to know you, I'd ask you what types of goals you'd like to achieve and rank them in order of importance. Part of our conversation might be helping you to clarify what are the most important goals, and we'd tailor our work towards achieving them. What you won't hear is me telling you what to do or what you should work on, though I may have thoughts and suggestions based on what I've heard. The basic premise I work with is that you already know what to do, my role is to help you remember and be along for the journey.

My first session with you

In our first session, we'd review Informed Consent (knowing what services are about, understanding confidentiality and those limits when making sure your safety is the priority.) Then I'd ask you what brings you and listen/observe as you are discussing your challenge areas. I'd ask you about what your current routines are, your relationships, and your general priorities in life. Ultimately, you should expect to feel heard and understood, and hopefully feel a sense of trust as we begin your therapeutic journey together.