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Shannon Patterson
About
Hello! I'm glad you're here. My name is Shannon Patterson. I'm a licensed psychologist who approaches psychological assessment with warmth, curiosity, and a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming perspective. I believe assessment is about more than identifying symptoms or arriving at a diagnosis—it's an opportunity to better understand your unique experiences, recognize your strengths, and make sense of patterns or challenges you may have encountered throughout your life. My approach is collaborative and individualized, recognizing that our identities, relationships, and environments shape how we experience the world. I strive to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, respected, and understood. Ultimately, my goal is for you to leave the assessment process with greater self-understanding, practical recommendations, and a stronger sense of empowerment to advocate for your needs and live authentically.
I’m drawn to working with neurodivergent adults because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to better understand themselves and feel empowered to live authentically. Too often, people spend years feeling misunderstood, struggling to meet expectations that don't align with how they experience the world, or interpreting their differences as personal shortcomings. I value the opportunity to help individuals make sense of their experiences through a compassionate, strengths-based, and neurodiversity-affirming lens. I find it especially meaningful to help adults recognize their strengths, reframe longstanding narratives about themselves, and develop a deeper understanding of their needs. My hope is that the assessment process offers not just clarity, but also validation, self-acceptance, and a greater sense of agency in navigating life on their own terms.
My strengths-based approach to psychological assessment is grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming perspective that recognizes neurological variation as a natural part of human diversity, while acknowledging that neurodevelopmental differences can involve meaningful challenges, disabilities, and support needs. I strive to understand each person beyond a checklist of diagnostic criteria by exploring their cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal strengths alongside areas of difficulty. I also consider how environmental demands, social expectations, access to accommodations, and experiences of masking or camouflaging may influence their well-being and day-to-day functioning. A strengths-based assessment does not minimize challenges or overlook the impact of disability; rather, it places those experiences in context and recognizes that strengths and support needs can coexist. My goal is to provide thoughtful diagnostic clarification while helping individuals develop a more nuanced understanding of themselves, identify meaningful supports, and make informed choices about how to navigate their lives in ways that align with their needs and values.
