Dr. Shannon Lerach

I wish I didn't even have to give this woman one star!! She is super unprofessional, fake, unfair, and careless! She was so one sided and left so many facts out of our report. I do not recommend no one to go to her for any type of psychology evaluation at all. She also goes off of judging someone by their appearance!

As a former patient of Dr.Lerach I just want to say thank you. The work we did together changed my life and I will be forever grateful. The childhood suffering I carried through adulthood was not only quickly tempered but completely eradicated by my in depth sessions with Dr. Lerach. I can move forward knowing that my childhood might have shaped me but does not hold me back any longer. I am able to see how I can use this experience to help others and for that I thank you again Dr. Lerach As a former patient of Dr.Lerach I just want to say thank you. The work we did together changed my life and I will be forever grateful. The childhood suffering I carried through adulthood was not only quickly tempered but completely … More

Dr. Lerach is patient and kind and extremely fair. She is very knowledgeable about the legal system and incorporates this information well with each individual client and their unique circumstances. She is personable and works very well with children.

My words here cannot truly express the gratitude I have for the accomplishments I have made in working with Shannon Lerach. Yes, she is a professional with all the degrees and certifications but what is more important to me is a person that cares and makes me feel comfortable and safe. With Shannon creating an environment of openness and warmth, I have been able to make real accomplishments. My words here cannot truly express the gratitude I have for the accomplishments I have made in working with Shannon Lerach. Yes, she is a professional with all the degrees and certifications but what is more important to me is a person that … More

I've been in therapy for about 10 years now with about 10 different therapists and Shannon is by far the most qualified and just overall best out of all of them. I've always been hesitant to share my story because of the varied responses I get but Shannon was honest with her astonishment and support. I feel like I have a friend with her as opposed to a rigid professional relationship and while this might not work for everyone, it does wonders for me. She really goes beyond the call of duty and is available to contact 24/7 and never stops at "good enough", she does everything in her power to help her clients as much as she possibly can whether that's calling 100 different people to get you a service dog or planning activites such as equine therapy. I have a lot of trouble with voicing my feelings as well but I feel comfortable with her and she is responsive to suggestions. She's incredibly smart and articulate and proposes ideas rather than enforces them. She's open to different coping methods and is understanding of reality and doesn't expect ridiculous things, is accomadating of your pace. I think the most important thing is that she makes you not feel alone; with other therapists, I always felt the need to censor myself in order to protect them. But Shannon is strong and you can feel it and you know you'll always be safe. And things will probably still suck when you get home but for those two hours when you're in the office, it is okay. Also, her dog Chloe is worth five stars alone, seriously just go to the office and kiss her face for an hour and you'll feel a lot better. I've been in therapy for about 10 years now with about 10 different therapists and Shannon is by far the most qualified and just overall best out of all of them. I've always been hesitant to share my story because of the varied responses I … More

I started going to Shannon Lerach a year ago after a traumatic personal loss. Her EMDR really works, and she listens and has such valuable advice in 'talk therapy.' I find that I can take her suggestions and use them in daily life to help me get through each day. I feel very lucky to have found Dr. Lerach and recommend her if you're looking for someone who can help you through very difficult situations. I like her therapy dog, Chloe, too. I started going to Shannon Lerach a year ago after a traumatic personal loss. Her EMDR really works, and she listens and has such valuable advice in 'talk therapy.' I find that I can take her suggestions and use them in daily life to help … More

As Dr. Lerach's colleague and consultant for the treatment of complex trauma, I have found her to continually pursue excellence and effectiveness in patient care. She demonstrates humility and courage in never shying away from acknowledging where she can grow then going after this growth with full enthusiasm. She is a bold advocate for the safety and well-being of her patients when needed, especially those too young or disempowered to protect themselves. Her passion and compassion for the health and thriving of her patients defines her as a psychologist. As Dr. Lerach's colleague and consultant for the treatment of complex trauma, I have found her to continually pursue excellence and effectiveness in patient care. She demonstrates humility and courage in never shying away from … More

As a client of Shannon's, I cannot say enough good things about her and the way she conducts her practice. Her wisdom, support, and comfort is unparalleled. She offers genuine, real world advice with a mature and sympathetic voice that many adults I decades older would never be able to replicate. She is endlessly accommodating and always quick to respond to any form of communication. I have worked with various therapists in the past, and none, except for Shannon, have offered the insight and opportunity that allows for growth and healing through life's challenges. As a client of Shannon's, I cannot say enough good things about her and the way she conducts her practice. Her wisdom, support, and comfort is unparalleled. She offers genuine, real world advice with a mature and sympathetic voice that many … More

Shannon Lerach helped our family tremendously and I really can't imagine how things could have gone without her professional help. I won't go into detail but our daughter really needed help understanding a complicated and unfortunate situation. Shannon gained her trust and helped her work through her uncertainties. She helped our daughter gain confidence and self esteem and let her know it was ok to have a "voice" in complicated situations. While doing this, Shannon was very open with my husband and I on how we could best handle the situation. She made sure that everything was in the best interest of our daughter and helped us make hard calls. I would recommend Shannon! She is very good at what she does and keeps a professional approach while dealing with tough situations. Shannon Lerach helped our family tremendously and I really can't imagine how things could have gone without her professional help. I won't go into detail but our daughter really needed help understanding a complicated and unfortunate … More

I have known Dr. Lerach as a friend and confidant/personal counselor for the past 15 years. I can attest unequivocally to her knowledge, experience, and professionalism. I have personally experienced her empathy and compassion during my own difficult times and find her guidance to be invaluable. I have strongly recommended friends and family to her practice. A recent critical review was, I expect, inappropriate and, I know, completely unfounded. I have known Dr. Lerach as a friend and confidant/personal counselor for the past 15 years. I can attest unequivocally to her knowledge, experience, and professionalism. I have personally experienced her empathy and compassion during my own … More

We are so grateful we were referred to Dr. Shannon Lerach to assist us with navigating through some long occurring custody issues and the emotional turmoil that came with it for our daughter living between spilt homes. We experienced a severe domestic violence trauma that affected our entire family but sadly both our young daughters. Dr. Lerach was available night and day to our entire family assisting us through the entire process from courts to helping us support our daughter at her school. Both our young children worked with Dr. Lerach with EMDR therapies to assist in their recovery immediately following the trauma and the affects were profound. For the first time our daughter has been empowered, has a voice, feels supported and confident to get her needs met when not with us. We would not have survived this trauma without Dr. Lerach. Most importantly she was able to educate us and better equip us as parents with tools to feel confident that we are being the best parents we can be. We HIGHLY recommend Dr. Lerach! We are so grateful we were referred to Dr. Shannon Lerach to assist us with navigating through some long occurring custody issues and the emotional turmoil that came with it for our daughter living between spilt homes. We experienced a … More

I think most people would agree that the child custody evaluation process is extremely emotional and taxing. I believe my children's mother and I have a very good co-parenting relationship. I also think that we would probably agree that Dr. Lerach played a very significant role in improving it and making it what it now remains today. I didn't come to Dr. Lerach willingly. I had significant reservations about subjecting my children to what I perceived to be a potentially never-ending cycle of therapy. And I can state without reservation that I wish I had been a "better version of myself" at times during our custody process. What I really appreciate about Dr. Lerach is her dedication to my children. She cares about them and our collective parenting issues as though she were related to them. I can't imagine I am an easy person to interact with in this emotionally charged process, but Dr. Lerach is extremely patient. She is reasonable and she listens. In contrast to my experience with other child custody mediators, I found her disposition to be professional, practical and pragmatic. I think she places significant value on helping parents' reach consensus on difficult parenting issues; on improving the parental relationships so that the children will be the ultimate benefactors. Given my reservations about attendance, I was impressed (and relieved) by her professional knowledge and experience in combination with her positive and realistic attitude. Her dedication to my children's well being and overall happiness is ultimately what kept us all coming back. I think most people would agree that the child custody evaluation process is extremely emotional and taxing. I believe my children's mother and I have a very good co-parenting relationship. I also think that we would probably agree that Dr. … More

Dr. Lerach was our daughter's therapist (after 3 other San Diego therapists were disqualified due to unprofessionalism and/or breach of ethics!). Dr. Lerach served as our 12-year-old daughter's therapist/advocate, ensuring her voice was heard, and that her well-being was at the forefront--in a very highly conflictual custody court battle. She facilitated a stipulation that is now workable for us all. Thank you, Dr. Shannon Lerach! (Yes, I would recommend her as a true advocate for the child/minor, who's voice is too often disregarded.) Dr. Lerach was our daughter's therapist (after 3 other San Diego therapists were disqualified due to unprofessionalism and/or breach of ethics!). Dr. Lerach served as our 12-year-old daughter's therapist/advocate, ensuring her voice was … More

I am so grateful to have Shannon Lerach to refer my patients to. She is the only clinician I know who meets the patient on their level and even their location (i.e. the basketball court or surf, or wherever they are most comfortable to allow for a trusting relationship). Her empathy and compassion to work in the best interests of the patient and families is by far one of the most impressive I've seen. I am so grateful to have Shannon Lerach to refer my patients to. She is the only clinician I know who meets the patient on their level and even their location (i.e. the basketball court or surf, or wherever they are most comfortable to … More

Dr. Lerach is amazing by all standards. She has provided care and support for us during one of the most difficult times in our lives. My 6 year old daughter adores her and she always has a smile in her face when I tell her is time to see Dr. Lerach. Dr. Lerach has surpassed all my expectations. She is professional, objective and firm in her reports and recommendations. But she is also compassionate, caring and always looks for the best interest of the child. I can not recommend her highly enough. Dr. Lerach is amazing by all standards. She has provided care and support for us during one of the most difficult times in our lives. My 6 year old daughter adores her and she always has a smile in her face when I tell her is time to see … More

Dr. Lerach has been a lifesaver for my child. She has the ability to make everyone feel comfortable and creates an environment for a child that allows them to explore and have fun in therapy. My son has opened up and is now able to express himself more openly and has done a great amount of healing in a short time of three months while in treatment with Dr. Lerach. We are grateful for her professionalism, knowledge and compassion. Dr. Lerach has been a lifesaver for my child. She has the ability to make everyone feel comfortable and creates an environment for a child that allows them to explore and have fun in therapy. My son has opened up and is now able to … More

Dr. Lerach is deeply committed to the best interests of her patients and is consistently caring and compassionate. She is extremely articulate but can simplify things into laymen terms so that all parties understand. Her ability to communicate on all levels, to adults, teenagers, professionals in her field and the courts makes her even more valuable. I have recommended her to a friend in the past, and definitely would do so again. Dr. Lerach is deeply committed to the best interests of her patients and is consistently caring and compassionate. She is extremely articulate but can simplify things into laymen terms so that all parties understand. Her ability to … More

Dr. Lerach is an incredibly passionate and highly educated professional who is consistently dedicated to her patients. In a field where pleasing everyone is impossible, Shannon goes above and beyond to keep her patients best interest her first priority. I would not hesitate to recommend her services to my closest family and friends.

We are so grateful we were referred to Dr. Shannon Lerach to assist us with navigating through some long occurring custody issues and the emotional turmoil that came with it for our daughter living between spilt homes. We experienced a severe domestic violence trauma that affected our entire family but sadly both our young daughters. Dr. Lerach was available night and day to our entire family assisting us through the entire process from courts to helping us support our daughter at her school.

Dr. Lerach has been amazing during the most difficult time in our lives. She provided a safe place for my daughter ( age 6 ) that adore her from day one. Dr Lerach has a lot of experience and provides not only insight in how to handle difficult situations but helps you navigate through high conflict divorce. She is professional, objective and firm with her assessments, yet she is kind, loving and understanding. A very rare balanced combination that only the best in her feel achieve.

Dr. Lerach was our daughter's therapist (after 3 other San Diego therapists were disqualified due to unprofessionalism and breach of ethics!). Dr. Lerach served as our 12-year-old daughter's advocate, ensuring her voice was heard, and that her well-being was at the forefront--in a very highly conflictual custody court battle. She facilitated a stipulation that is now workable for us all. Thank you, Dr. Shannon Lerach! (Yes, I would recommend her as a true advocate for the child.)

There are times in life when you need an expert to help you through tough situations, and fortunately for our family, we were recommended to Shannon Lerach to help us through ours. In an emergency situation, Shannon was immediately available to help us. She gained our young daughters trust quickly and helped her through a very confusing time. i would highly recommend Shannon. She has a very professional and positive approach.

Dr Lerach is awesome! Especially with high conflict families. She takes on tough cases with few other options and does an amazing job. Post divorce my teenager was getting worse after more than a year of counseling . When we finally found her she was able to get us on the right track after only a few months even though dealing with extreme alienation and depression. She has special experience of very complicated family problems that few therapist understand. We are fortunate to have found her.

When I found Shannon I finally felt like there was hope in our situation. She understood our complex issues and for the short time she worked with my daughter she was able to get us over one of our biggest hurdles. With her help we were able to start to move forward, something I had heard was basically impossible with our issue.

My words here cannot truly express the gratitude I have for the accomplishments I have made in working with Shannon Lerach. Yes, she is a professional with all the degrees and certifications but what is more important to me is a person that cares and makes me feel comfortable and safe. With Shannon creating an environment of openness and warmth, I have been able to make real accomplishments. I would and have recommended her to friends.

I started going to Dr Lerach a year ago after the loss of my daughter. She has been an invaluable person to lean on when I can't stand on my own two feet, and to ask for ways to cope and move forward in a life that I never imagined I'd be living. She is a good listener and I find her advice to be very helpful in the 'real world' after I leave her office. I am thankful I found her and the EMDR that she practices too. I like her talk therapy and the EMDR...they both help my brain release trauma

Dr. Lerach has been an invaluable asset to my daughter, who can't wait to see her each week. When difficult issues come up she always says I'll talk to Shannon about this! She trusts Shannon and opens up to her like no other person in her life. Shannon provides a safe haven for my daughter to work through issues, anxiety, distress. I would recommend Shannon to anyone looking for a therapist for their child(ren) without reservation (and do every chance I get).

My experience with Dr. Lerach has been a positive one. She is knowledgeable, helpful and personable.

Although I believe the reviewer is entitled to his or her opinion, I strongly feel that the negative review here, mischarcterizes Dr. Lerach. Unfortunatly, I am limited on this site to length of review. My family has worked with Dr. Lerach weekly for over a year now, and she has work ethic that is above and beyond the average Joe. Over that past year, she held weekend hours, making her off time M/T to better serve clients. The truth is- she CARES, and is PASSIONATE about her work and clients.

I refer patients to her

I don't know what the first patient is talking about but our experience with Dr. Lerach was more than we could have ever hoped for. I came in earlier this year with my family and found her to be extremely accommodating and welcoming. Most of all, my daughter LOVED her. Can't express that enough. We have a unique set of circumstances and were worried that our daughter wouldn't feel comfortable talking to an adult. In the end, we understood that this was paramount to our families' well-being.

Dr. Lerach has been very helpful to me over the years. I have recommended her to at least two other families that have needed professional help. I have always found Dr. Lerach to be professional and very knowledgeable. I would not hesitate in recommending her to a friend.

I sought out her help for my children and I found her to be rude and condescending towards me and my point of view. She has poor communication skills and rarely replies to emails. I find her to be a bit standoffish and tends to talk over me when I speak with her. Perhaps, growing up in Rancho Santa Fe, she is unable to relate to people from different walks of life and is used to simply telling people what to do without really hearing them. I would never recommend her services to anyone.