Client Reviews

“It was a phone call that saved my life. Shannon answered but God’s healing power was at the other end of the line. I was 90 pounds, descending into a slow steady decline from the 110 pounds I weighed normally. The doctor said if I lost any more weight he would put me in the hospital and give me a feeding tube. I was skin and bones. I lost weight because I was afraid to eat… actually, I was terrified to eat. Eating scared the crap out of me. I was afraid if I ate, I would get food poisoning and die. But the thought didn’t end there… I would obsess over dying a terrifying, painful, unimaginably horrific death. . . ”

Anonymous

 

“One night I couldn’t eat my Mac n cheese. The problem was getting worse. A friend told Shannon about me. Shannon had called recently and introduced himself to me and said he would offer peer support and I could call him anytime day or night to help me get through it. He, too, had OCD and he worked for the Pentagon and published a book about how he overcame OCD. It was so comforting to just get counsel from someone who actually had OCD. On this one particular night when I couldn’t eat my Mac n cheese, I thought about Shannon’s offer to call him when I needed to. I told myself if I took the positive step to call him I would promise myself I wouldn’t have to do anything that scared me - that’s the only reason I was able to make the call. I wasn’t scared of calling him. I was scared he would try to make me eat. Making that promise to myself before I called him that I wouldn’t do anything that scares me on the call is what gave me the strength to put that call in. I called Shannon and told him I had a plate full of Mac n cheese in front of me and I was terrified to eat it. I looked at the plate with absolutely no plans to have a single bite. But as I started talking to Shannon, I was able to slowly take one bite, then another, then another. It wasn’t easy…each bite felt like I was throwing a right hook in a boxing ring, it took that much inner strength to eat. But I did it. To this day I can’t believe I did it. Shannon’s talk on the other end of the phone convinced my brain I was strong enough to fight. It was such a shock to me that I was able to eat the entire dish, that it became the starting point of my turn around. That triumph followed me everywhere I went. I wasn’t always able to fight the OCD every time after that, but I did fight it more frequently, and eventually was able to eat and fall in love with food again. I also started taking Prozac after having no real success with all other SSRI’s. That helped to balance the chemicals in my brain enough to start getting stronger in my fight. With Shannon’s support, my brain went back to normal. I still have OCD, but I can now live a thriving beautiful life I thought was no longer possible. . . “

Jen, Massachussets

 

“Where to start...Shannon came into my life at a time where I was deeply struggling with OCD. He was one of the first people who I ever opened up to about having the disorder and I had no idea how much he was going to change my life (for the better). I had gone to a few therapists who “claimed” they specialized in OCD, but it ended up just being talk therapy without any ERP and i came out more frustrated and lost than before. Even though Shannon claims he doesn’t use ERP per se, I believe he uses a form of it without calling it ERP. He taught me strategies that work to not give OCD the power, but rather made me a “warrior” against it. It made me stronger mentally especially by working on changing my perspective.”

Jamie, Michigan

 

“I came across Shannon’s website and saw that he overcame many obstacles I was facing so I decided to purchase his book. Shannon is extremely intelligent and educated. I decided to contact Shannon to book a virtual session. Talking to him calmed me down, he understood the battle I was going through, he listening to me without judgment. Shannon taught me about INDIFFERENCE, I believe that’s what allowed my full recovery. Battling OCD was the hardest fight of my life. I began making progress within a few months. Symptoms slowly reduced and I was living a more fulfilling, better life. My battle taught me to be kinder, less judgmental, and more giving. I have a new appreciation for life as I thought mine was gone for good. I can truly say that I am happy and anxiety free and that is all thanks to Shannon. I am so grateful to you for teaching me the tools that I will carry with me forever. You’re G-d sent. I thank you deeply.”

Maya, Canada

 

“Prior to commencing peer support with Shannon I was descending deeper and deeper into OCD's 'hell pit'. Previous treatments had little beneficial impact and eventually I was unable to leave my house due to the intensity of the anxiety and compulsions. Shannon's approach resonated with me in a way that other OCD literature and therapy had not. We spoke 2-3 times a week in the early stages of working together. My sessions with Shannon have been hugely beneficial. I am now able to get on with much of my life, without being a prisoner to the disorder. Shannon's teachings help to rewrite the script against OCD. His principles provide a gameplan and motivation for the fight against the disorder. What makes Shannon's approach so helpful is his provision of effective practical tools for clients to apply in tackling OCD, even whilst in the midst of triggering episodes. These include principles such as the fork in the road visualisation, 'walking through the fire' and development of the warrior attitude. Shannon understands the nature of suffering from the disorder, has significant empathy and, crucially, has tremendous insight into what it takes to progress in recovery from OCD. I cannot recommend Shannon highly enough!”

Nic, UK

"I have suffered with OCD since childhood. After my 3rd OCD related
breakdown which saw me off work for 9 months and pretty much suicidal
I decided to try peer support with Shannon.
I had already got some of his books and saw that he offered peer
support sessions and thought it was worth a go.

I am so glad I made that decision. Shannon is so attentive and really
listens and the fact he has suffered himself means he really gets it.
There have been times during our sessions where I have been trying to
find the right words and Shannon has said exactly what I'm trying to
say as he personally understands. Since starting support with Shannon
I have been doing really well and my symptoms are extremely minimal
and certainly do not affect me daily any more. I have also managed to
halve my medication for the first time in many years. Shannon is
motivational, supportive and really does care. I would highly
recommend his peer support to anyone suffering with OCD.”

Nikki

I felt like I was being buried alive by the crushing weight of OCD and
intrusive thoughts. I knew I had to get help. But traditional therapy
didn't help it all, it just made my suffering worse because talk
therapy doesn't address the way OCD wraps around your brain and
deceives you. I found Shannon's videos online and began to have a
glimmer of hope, "here is someone who actually understands what it's
like to have OCD." I signed up for peer coaching sessions and learned
the strategies for defeating OCD. I worked the program like my life
depended on it, because it did!  Two years later, I still catch myself
spiralling sometimes, but now I know what steps to take to "stay above
the fray" and put OCD in it's place. I got my life back.

Kathleen Caron

I have lived with OCD for decades. For many years, I lived in an area
where access to an OCD specialist was limited, so I devoted myself to
learning everything I could about the disorder. I read extensively,
educated myself about evidence-based treatment, and did my best to
apply those principles on my own.

When I read Shannon Shy’s book, Turning Points, his approach
immediately resonated with me. It was also the first time I learned
about the value of peer support in OCD recovery. After watching the
videos he recorded while stationed in Afghanistan, I felt confident
that Shannon truly understood OCD because he had experienced it
himself. That gave me the confidence to trust both him and his
recovery process.

Working with Shannon through peer support was a genuine turning point
in my recovery. He encouraged me through every stage of the process,
offering both practical guidance and unwavering support. One of the
things he reminded me of most often was that I was no different than
he was—that if he could recover from OCD, so could I. Having someone
who had confronted this disorder firsthand and who believed in my
ability not only to improve but to overcome it entirely was incredibly
empowering. His encouragement gave me hope, confidence, and the
determination to keep moving forward, even when recovery felt
difficult.

Krystal

Shannon has been coaching me for my OCD for an extended period. Having recovered from OCD he has extensive knowledge of the illness. More importantly, he provides valuable insight that will get you to the Recovery stage.

Barney Bangs

Executive Chairman ~ TULMAR

Shannon is a true hero and inspiration. 

Shannon is one of the most inspirational and empowering individuals I’ve ever connected with. He is a true hero to the OCD community, championing hope, belief, and action with unparalleled passion that saves countless lives.

When I experienced an OCD relapse last year, Shannon's support groups, Turning Point course, and books became a major part of my recovery foundation. They reminded me that because I had survived the darkest depths of OCD before, I could do it again. In my hardest moments, two of his specific affirmations kept me moving forward: “I am more powerful than OCD, always” and “I have the choice to see a trigger as an opportunity to get better.”

These words became a part of my shield and sword, depriving OCD of its power and reigniting my inner warrior attitude. Shannon's Turning point course gave me a structure with powerful recovery foundations such as the four pillars; Desire, Hope, Motivation and Strategy. These pillars truly shaped my shield and sword to overcome anything OCD adversely affects me with and that is true freedom. 

I highly recommend Shannon with the utmost respect and gratitude. Anyone looking to reclaim their life from OCD will find an invaluable guide, mentor, and true ally. Shannon is one of the best, thank you Shannon!!!

Matthew Bannister

“I just want to be a normal teenager” – I told Shannon, with tears streaming down my face, agonizing anxiety, an overwhelming feeling of dread and severe depression weighing me down. OCD had robbed me of the ability to enjoy even the simplest things - playing sports, watching movies, reading books or simply enjoying moments of peace and tranquility. The very day I stumbled upon Shannon’s book and discovered his peer support, I was able to watch my first movie in many months. A couple days later, I went for my first proper walk outside. An absurd amount of false information on the internet, a number of misinformed therapists and OCD itself had successfully convinced me that my life was over, that the best I could hope for was life in misery. Step by step, session by session, and through every difficult setback, Shannon walked alongside me. His unwavering presence and support helped me reclaim not only my life, but also my freedom and my joy. Today, just a few years and many hard-won victories later, OCD is merely background noise at its worst and most amazingly, I am almost glad when it shows up again, as Shannon taught me that each and every trigger is an opportunity to do something that helps me get better and further chip away at the paper-tiger and tyrant that is OCD. But Shannon is not only an amazingly effective and compassionate coach in the realm of OCD recovery, but he also offers highly valuable advice and strategies for the daily ups and downs and twists and turns of life itself, which I have, without exaggeration, been applying daily in my own life. Without ever having met Shannon personally, I feel genuine love and admiration for that truly kind, intelligent, supportive man. Thank you for being with me on the most difficult journey of my life and thank you a million times for saving my life.

Dato from Austria

I am a 38-year-old husband and father of 3 who has battled OCD on and off since I was a teenager. My OCD first started attacking me during my college football playing days and I have experienced just about every theme OCD has to offer. Despite this, I have somehow managed to cope with OCD over the years.

I am also a current law enforcement officer with 14 years’ experience. The past couple years, from chronic stress, cumulative incidents, and family turmoil, I entered my worst OCD flareup to date: fear of going crazy/harm OCD. I have dealt with horrendous intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, and insomnia. Also, the unrelenting urge to perform compulsions bring momentary relief. This was easily the scariest experience of my life, and I was convinced I was "going crazy". I wasafraid to be around people or my own family. I was afraid I would lose my career and everything I valued in life. This was the hardest time in my life.

I quickly sought help through therapy as well as through Shannon's peer support sessions and books to include "Turning Points". In addition to my faith, I turned to Shannon and his guidance for dealing with the worst OCD has to offer. Shannon was a guiding light through a very dark tunnel.

Shannon was a lifesaver. I cannot begin to thank him for the countless wisdom and support offered from his book and peer support sessions. Through his support, I was able to continue being the father and husband I need to be, and in helping me to continue my career as a police officer. I cannot thank him enough! His concepts such as being indifferent to the thoughts, warrior attitude, 0=0, and his checkpoints and ground rules were gamechangers!

I am here today to tell you that OCD can be defeated! OCD is powerless to YOUR will and actions! You CAN trust Shannon and you CAN trust the process, no matter how scary! Shannon has your back! Keep moving forward! You can do this!

Charles