Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Tobaben.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to becoming a therapist began with a love for working with children. I spent several years as a nanny, where I found meaning in being a steady, supportive presence and naturally became someone others turned to for understanding and support. While this early work confirmed my passion for helping others, it was my own experience in therapy as an adolescent that truly shaped my path. Being on the other side of the therapeutic relationship was life changing and showed me the power of truly feeling seen, understood, and supported. That experience became a pivotal moment, leading me to change my college major from Microbiology to Psychology so I could offer others the same sense of support and hope I had received during that time of my life.
I began my career working with children in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings, building a strong foundation in development and family systems. Over time, both my professional work and life experiences guided me to pursue advanced training in Play Therapy, EMDR, and Pediatric OCD after completing my Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas, along with clinical licensures in Missouri, Indiana and Wisconsin. These experiences and trainings deepened my appreciation for the importance of having different therapeutic modalities available. I now use a more eclectic approach with clients of all ages, having seen firsthand how transformative it can be when therapy is tailored to meet individuals where they are.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. On the first day I planned to open my office to clients, I experienced a traumatic life changing event, so I was juggling my own healing and trauma while also trying to be fully present for my clients and newly created private practice. Making sure my personal challenges didn’t impact my work was tough, but it also pushed me to grow and eventually led me to pursue EMDR, which has been really impactful both personally and professionally. Being a therapist in general is also bittersweet. You care deeply for your clients and always hope they’re doing well, but sometimes we aren’t the right fit, and we have to accept that we can only do so much. Often, we’re just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, and learning to hold that perspective has been one of the most important lessons in my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Bloom Haven Counseling, I specialize in working with anxiety and OCD, but also do a lot of work involving depression, trauma, ADHD, self esteem, and all of the other stressors that can come with growing up. I primarily work with children, adolescents and young adults, but also enjoy working with individuals across the lifespan. I believe that therapy should feel collaborative, authentic, and deeply human. I work closely with clients to identify their goals, explore any hurdles along the way, and build a strong, trusting relationship throughout the process.
Connection and trust are at the heart of my work. I truly believe they are among the most powerful tools we have in therapy, and creating a safe, supportive foundation is central to everything I do. My approach is warm, grounded, and flexible, allowing me to thoughtfully integrate different therapeutic modalities when a client feels stuck or needs something different. While these tools are valuable, I believe it is the strength of the therapeutic relationship that makes meaningful change possible.
What sets my work apart is my creativity in approaching challenges and my commitment to showing up with authenticity. I strive to meet clients where they are, bringing in humor when it fits, because growth often happens best when people feel both supported and understood. Ultimately, my goal is to combine professional expertise, creativity, and empathy to provide a space where clients feel safe, seen, and empowered to navigate their journey in a way that feels meaningful and practical.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very athletic and spent a lot of time playing on sports teams, which taught me confidence, resilience, and how to navigate competitive environments. At the same time, I had a strong creative side and loved art. I doodled on everything, which made it look like I wasn’t focused but is really when I could pay attention the most. I remember teachers would call me out but I always had the answer to what we were discussing and is funny because those doodles later were made into the school yearbook. I often won art competitions and was repeatedly artist of the year, so it surprised many people when I had no desire to pursue art as a career. I’ve always enjoyed keeping hobbies as hobbies and learned early on that I do my best work with a balance of structure and flexibility, having enough pressure to stay focused, while still allowing space for creativity and thoughtfulness to develop.
Academically, I did very well in school and consistently earned strong grades putting me over a 4.0 and on the honor rolls. I was curious, motivated, and detail-oriented. Looking back, I can now see that some of those traits were influenced by OCD. While it was present earlier on, it became more noticeable during periods of increased stress, particularly in college and again in the postpartum period. That lived experience gave me a deeper understanding of how anxiety, perfectionism and other symptoms can intensify during major life transitions, even when things appear successful on the outside.
Personality wise, I was a bit anxious, shy and slow to warm up, but I could also be outgoing and bubbly when needed, which is still true today. I’ve always valued fewer, deeper relationships and have gravitated toward meaningful connections and is where I feel the most like myself. Humor has also always been important to me and often was the one telling jokes or being silly even though at times that would add on some extra sprints for the teams. I enjoy making others laugh and see it as a powerful way to build connection and help people feel at ease.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloomhavencounseling.com
- Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/shannon-tobaben-overland-park-ks/1011119
