Shawnee Thayer

Working with local youth for over 12 years, Shawnee Thayer believes in the power of connection and supportive relationships. In 2025 she became certified as a TBRI® practitioner. TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed parenting and caregiving model designed to support children and youth who have experienced trauma, abuse, or significant early adversity.

Shawnee has also trained in Theraplay (an attachment focused play therapy), which utilizes play and nurturing activities to help children feel safe, cared for and worthy. Shawnee has studied Integrated Attachment Family Therapy and Inspired Parenting (parenting from an attachment/trauma perspective), and she earned her master’s in counseling psychology from Cal Poly Humboldt. Her experience includes supporting youth experiencing grief and trauma at Hospice of Humboldt and has worked in crisis support for sexual assault survivors.

Currently providing counseling for Evolve Youth Services’ clients, Shawnee brings both creativity and flexibility  to her sessions. Connecting with clients in the office, around the community or at their homes, she builds trust and self-esteem through meaningful conversation and playful interactions. Fostering positive development, she believes that youth learn best when they feel supported by strong relationships. A Sacramento Valley native, Shawnee has called Humboldt home for the past 24 years.  She lives in Trinidad with her partner and two children.