My name is Shannon Warden. My private practice, Family Matters Counseling, is located in the offices of Farragut Christian Church in West Knoxville. The focus of my practice is on adult individual, couple, and family therapy in a safe and accepting environment. I have been in practice since 1999.
Some History...
I grew up in the Tampa Bay area on Florida's Gulf Coast. I realized at a young age that I would serve God in ministry and came to know later that it would be through helping people see who God made them to be in their relationships. I attended Johnson University (formerly Johnson Bible College) in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1993 to pursue a degree in Telecommunications and later decided that my gifts were strong in the areas of helping people see beyond the surface to the deeper levels of why they made poor choices or why they were hurting, so I changed my major to Counseling and finished requirements for my Bachelor's Degree and graduated in 1997. Before that, I met and married my college sweetheart, Jason Warden, in 1996, and he began a ministry to youth in a local church in 1998 as I finished up my graduate studies. We have been at Farragut Christian Church for 26 years and Jason has been the Senior Pastor since 2003.
We have two children, ages 24 and 19 and a precious daughter-in-law. I have struggled through infertility, miscarriages, and pregnancy related complications. We also have a child diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (Juvenile Diabetes), so I can relate to what it's like to receive difficult news about your children and learn to adjust to new ways of functioning in a family with a chronic illness. I believe that all things happen for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. I had a total hysterectomy and went through surgical menopause (SURMENO) at 49, so I'm very familiar with navigating the unique changes women go through as they age. God has used our experiences to allow me to minister to those in similar circumstances through my professional and personal relationships.
Professional Experience...
Over the years, I have worked as an in-home therapist with children ages 2-17 and their families; taught workshops for Christ in Youth summer conferences, as well as worked as a counselor on staff; taught workshops for the Tennessee Christian Teen Convention; taught Psychology and Counseling Theories at Johnson University; contracted with Johnson University as a supervisor of Graduate students in their second year clinical internships and taught Pastoral Counseling via Johnson University's Online program; and currently provide supervision privately for post-graduates seeking licensure in Tennessee. I enjoy teaching the occasional class on marriage, parenting, boundaries, and personality types at my church, as well as co-leading an adult small group. I previously had a regular segment on WBIR-TV's "Style: A Show for You" covering various topics related to marriage, parenting, and other various personal issues. I am licensed by the State of Tennessee as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and I am an AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy) Approved Supervisor as well as a Clinical Fellow with AAMFT. I've recently added "Supervisor Mentor" to my list of professional experiences as I help to train those providing supervision to new clinicians.
Other Experience...
I have been a guest on WBIR-Channel 10's (local NBC affiliate) "Style: A Show for You" addressing various relationship issues. I have also been a contributor for the Knoxville News-Sentinel, The Christian Standard, and Knoxville Compassion Coalition's Salt and Light Guidebook section on Families.
On a Personal Note...
I've been enjoying a recently empty nest and traveling with my husband, as well as coffee with friends, hiking, trying to stay healthy and get my 10,000 steps a day however I can!