“My virtual consultation with Shannon was exactly what I needed! But this wasn't just luck, it was because Shannon took the time to assess my goals and needs and then tailored the consult to address those head on. 

As a parent with childhood trauma and fears about swimming, I was experiencing anxiety about getting swimming lessons for my son. I feared that someone (i.e., a swim instructor) would use a fear/scare tactics to teach him how to swim and that this could have long lasting impacts on him, the same way it did on me. I was also looking for support to ensure I didn't unconsciously pass along my anxiety about swimming. While the consultation was around swimming,I found it to be very therapeutic in many ways. Shannon was patient and attentive in our consultation appointment. She listened to my concerns, needs, and asked the right questions to assess the needs I didn't even know I had. Some people may think, "I don't need all of this!, I just need my kid to learn to swim" but the reality is that the "how" matters more than we can imagine! The can have profound impact on the way someone relates to swimming AND their bodily responses. For a child who is sensitive, this matters so much. And while you, as a parent may not be sensitive, your child may and you may never know that until it's too late. For me, the risk of teaching my child to abandon their inner sense of safety isn't worth it. What felt worth it, was a meeting with Shannon to learn about the science and skill of teaching swimming. She shared what actually works for long term swimming skills. She also went through questions I could ask potential swim instructors to see if they are a good fit. She also went through red and green flags of swim instruction as well as very relatable ways to communicate and advocate for my child's needs. It was educational AND empowering.  I am pleased to note that since meeting with Shannon, I have found a swim instructor that is a good fit for our family. I tried a few people I can honestly state that the consult with Shannon made it easier to discern who was a good fit (and who wasn't!). I paid attention to how instructors approached the pacing of the swim lessons, if they respected my son's boundaries and fear, and they ways they challenged him. Shannon's advice and recommendations made me feel empowered to clearly communicate what my child needed and what I was looking for. It also made me confident to let go of instructors that didn't align with my family's values and find an instructor that does. His current instructor is client-centered; She makes swimming lessons fun AND challenging. She's encouraging to him when he struggles, rather than behaving like a drill sergant.  She communicates the importance and value of swimming (e.g., to be safe if you fall in a pool) in addition to teaching him the skills.  She provides me with updates on his progress and includes his improvements (not sure where he needs to grow). But the most important part is that my son is excited to go to swim lessons. He doesn't dread it like he used to. In my case, my son learning is certainly a group effort and I am so appreciative of Shannon's role in tying this all together. ”