Manasi Shankar, Ph.D., LPCC, AMFT

Get the Right Help to Feel Better – Free Phone Consultation Call (650) 461-9026 or Text (650) 461-9026

Manasi_Shankar
Location: Palo Alto, San Jose, Video Therapy

Ages: Adults (18+ years)
Teens (15-17 years)

Type of Therapy: Individual, Couples, Family, Teen Counseling
Experience: 7+ years

Manasi Shankar, Ph.D., LPCC, AMFT

Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Associate Therapist, Under Licensed Supervision
#14628 #131337

Manasi Shankar immigrated to the United States in 2014 to advance her knowledge of evidence-based practices in offering therapy services to individuals, couples, and families working through a myriad of presenting issues. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University and her Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. As an EMDR-certified therapist, she is trauma-informed and strives to create safe spaces for her clients to process the most painful moments of their lives. Manasi believes deeply in the power of an approachable, empathic, and trusting therapeutic alliance, where she prioritizes facilitating a warm and compassionate environment, collaborating with her clients to alleviate feelings of distress. Manasi is also an active researcher and writer, striving to close the gap between disability-related issues and the discipline of Marriage and Family Therapy. Her research work allows her to employ interventions that are updated and empirically informed.

Manasi’s Doctoral Fellowship at the Chicago Center for Family Health expanded her knowledge and skills in working with issues related to disability and chronic illness, and utilizes strength-based approaches to her therapy. She has meaningful experience working with sexual/gender minorities, people of color, and immigrants. Manasi uses her skills to support clients challenged with depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, loss, relational/family difficulties, and chronic health conditions. What she loves the most about the work she does is the genuineness and authenticity of the profession and being a small part of the lives of many resilient clients, while witnessing their process as they create meaningful change. In her free time, you will find Manasi with her blanket, a favorite book, and a cup of tea!

Concerns:

  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Bipolar
  • Body Image
  • Chronic or Terminal Illness
  • Death, Grief, and Loss
  • Depression
  • Diversity/Cultural Identity
  • Divorce
  • Eating and Food Issues
  • Family Problems
  • LGBTQIA+, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
  • Life Transitions
  • OCD
  • Panic Attacks
  • Parenting and Discipline
  • Phobias
  • Postpartum Depression
  • PTSD/Trauma
  • Relationships/Communication
  • Self-Esteem
  • Sexuality/Intimacy
  • Social Anxiety/Phobia
  • Stress
  • Women’s Issues
  • Work/Career

Special Interests:

  • Acquired Illnesses
  • Chronic Illness
  • Disability
  • Immigrants
  • Navigating Cultural Identity
  • Racial/Ethnic Minorities

Certifications:

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Intensive Study/Specialization:

  • Attachment
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Couples Therapy- Emotionally Focused Therapy
  • Family Therapy
  • Grief and Loss
  • Premarital Counseling

Professional counselor education and training standards for licensure are on par with marriage and family therapists and clinical social workers, the other two master’s level mental health providers in the state. Requirements for California’s Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs) include:

  • Possession of a 60-unit master’s or doctoral degree in counseling, or a closely related degree, from a regionally accredited or “approved” institution of higher education that includes certain core content areas
  • Completion of a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience, performed over two years, and continuing education hours for renewal (Before full licensure, LPCCs are called “Associates”.)
  • Passage of the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) and a California Law & Ethics Exam
  • Adherence to a strict Code of Ethics and recognized standards of practice, as regulated by California’s Board of Behavioral Sciences

How can a LPCC help me?

Like other mental health professionals such as social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, LMFTs, LPCC’s help clients by diagnosing and treating common emotional and behavioral difficulties that interfere with functioning at an optimal level. LPCC’s use empirical-supported counseling techniques to help their clients achieve desired goals.