Shannon Kratky
(she/they)
MS, LPC, LCDC, NCC
Owner and Counselor at Courageous Story Counseling, PLLC
Shannon Kratky is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the State of Texas. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio and Bachelors degree in Psychology and Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies from Texas Tech University. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University, where she is focusing her dissertation on the experiences of healing for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with LGBTQiA2S+ identities.
Shannon has worked in the field of mental health since 2009, when she started her career as a Special Education Teacher for students experiencing behavioral and mental health concerns. She has worked in multiple settings throughout her career in mental health, including employment as an advocate and counselor at the Rape Crisis Center, field researcher for the National Drug and Alcohol Study, and Behavioral Health Specialist in the Greater Denver Metro Area. Shannon has journeyed alongside fellow humans in residential and outpatient centers who are seeking recovery from mental health concerns, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use.
Shannon currently specializes in the treatment of adults with (Complex) PTSD, experiences with interpersonal violence and/or “complicated childhoods,” substance use, and LGBTQiA2S+ needs. They work from a neuro-affirming framework and celebrate neurodivergence. She firmly believes in annihilating the question of “What is wrong with you?” and, instead, asks, “What happened to you?” and “What is right about you?”
Shannon is certified in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy through the EMDR International Association and enjoys utilizing this evidence-based, mind-body therapeutic modality to help clients experiencing post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and other forms of “disturbance” in their lives.
Shannon has presented at various national conferences and universities on numerous topics, including LGBTQiA+ needs, (Complex) PTSD, childhood sexual abuse, human- and sex-trafficking, addiction and substance use, trauma-informed care, self-care, private practice, professionalism, and more. She thoroughly enjoys connecting with others through teaching and collaboration.
Shannon currently serves on the Advisory Council for the National Board of Certified Counselors’ Minority Fellowship Program in Addictions Counseling. She serves as Co-Chair of the NAADAC (The National Association for Addiction Professionals) LGBTQiA+ Clinical Standards Committee. Additionally, she serves as Treasurer for a non-profit, LBJ Behavioral Services, Inc., that strives to provide quality mental health care services to under-served and never-served persons. Shannon enjoys and values her opportunities to advocate for her fellow humans, as well as the counseling profession.
While attending UTSA, Shannon was awarded and completed the Minority Fellowship Program in Addictions Counseling by the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCCF), where she committed to providing services for underserved and never-served populations. As a mental health and substance use counselor, Shannon remains committed to serving these populations.
