Licensed Clinical Social Worker | Certified Expert Trauma Professional | EMDR-Trained Therapist | Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS)
Shannon Lebak is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, the Founder of Thought Provoking, and one of a small number of clinicians in the Pittsburgh area holding the C-AAIS (Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist) credential.
Her path to founding Thought Provoking started with animal rescue. Shannon fosters abandoned and stray cats through Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue in McDonald, PA — and through that work, she saw firsthand the potential for a genuine clinical connection between animals and healing. That observation became a practice. Karma and Kismet, once shelter cats themselves, are now certified therapy cats working alongside Shannon in session.
With more than 20 years of experience in mental health, Shannon’s clinical focus over the past decade has been trauma and PTSD. She works with children, teens, and families using evidence-informed approaches including EMDR, CBT, trauma-focused therapy, and play therapy. Her work is structured, credentialed, and built around the specific needs of each client.
Shannon is passionate about animal rescue and has a deep love for cats. She works directly with Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue in McDonald, PA as a foster parent for abandoned and stray cats and kittens. Through the foster process, Shannon felt there could be a mutual benefit to animal rescue and therapy. As a result, she established Thought Provoking and is a Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS).
10% of all Animal Assisted Therapy sessions will be donated directly back to Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue to aid the care of shelter cats – much like her own Therapy Cats once were!
*This form is intended for scheduling inquiries only. Please do not include private health information. If you prefer, you may call 724-913-2040 to speak with the office directly.
Proceeds from Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions donated to Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue to aid the care of shelter cats.
724-913-2040
