Vision
 Shannon Thompson had a vision at a very early age of creating a program that would transform individuals and entire communities. She believes her life’s purpose is to create a program that will serve as a model for a “new way of doing business”—a new paradigm in the treatment of trauma and abuse of women.
Creation
As the founder of Shakti Rising, Shannon Thompson is making her dream a reality. In 1997 she started Shakti Rising by working with a handful of young women in recovery. Today the program serves over 200 women every year, employing graduates of the program as leaders and teachers. Shannon has created a place where women can reclaim their brilliance, build community, and change the world---her vision has been, and continues to be, realized.
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| Shannon with the 2004 Fall Graduates |
Her Roots
Shannon’s passion to help youth was shaped by her own early experience. At age 18 she had been through a maze of traditional recovery models in thesearch of treatment for her substance abuse problem. Shannon realized that many of the models in the field of substance abuse treatment were misguided and began her pursuit of healing through a holistic and spiritual path. She has been through rigorous academic, professional and spiritual training over the past 20 years (see below) and has become a leader in her field.
Credentials and Experience
B.A., Sociology, Honors, University of California, Santa Cruz
Graduate Courses in Social Work Practice and Public Health, SDSU
Graduate Courses in Transpersonal Pyschology, IUPS
Creator of Statewide “Women and Meth” Curriculum
Consultant, Substance Abuse Prevention, CPI
Certified Massage Therapist
Certified Svaroopa Yoga Instructor, Master Yoga Academy
Flower Essence Practitioner, Flower Essence Society
Trained Herbalist and Aromatherapist
Creator of Life Scripts teen theatre group
Completed Founder/Visionary Director Leadership Training, Fieldstone Foundation
Trained in multiple Energy Psychology modalties, including TFT, EFT and Seemorg Matrix
Trained in meditation practices, including mindfulness based methods.
Specialty trainings in various counseling modalities, including addictions, expressive arts therapy, brief therapy, and woman centered therapy |
