Shawn McCowan,
MA LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor (#78066)
Phone: (903) 354-5091
To fulfill Immanuel Lutheran Church’s commitment to serving the hearts, minds, and spirits of this community, a partnership was established with Shawn McCowan. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor who owns Standard Cross Counseling. Shawn provides Christ-centered counseling around the Brazos Valley working with A&M Christian Counseling in Bryan, and in Giddings through Immanuel Lutheran Church.
McCowan established Standard Cross Counseling to combine Bible-based, spiritually-sound guidance with his calling as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) to help others more thoroughly understand unique and difficult struggles, heal from pain, and move toward the life each individual was made by God to live.
Shawn uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help explore, understand, and communicate the complex web of thoughts and feelings that drive our decisions and actions, both beneficial and harmful. Integrating this truly “whole person” concept – mind, body, spirit, and Truth from God’s Word into the counseling process, provides new ways to understand ourselves, perceive and respond to others, and may lead to building healthier communication and relationships.
Shawn serves individuals, families, and couples including pre-marital and crisis counseling. He also welcomes people of any faith, as well as anyone who is not currently a Believer or is searching for more Truth.
As a retired U.S. Air Force veteran with 20 years of service, McCowan understands the unique challenges faced by military members and their families. One of his fondest experiences of his military career was establishing and leading a Bible Study for new believers while deployed in Afghanistan, which continued to operate for years after his return home. And as a self-described “hopelessly sinful Christian,” he knows the grace and patience everyone needs when struggling to find and accept true peace during and after difficult life events.
McCowan has worked with numerous Central Texas counties’ criminal justice systems to assess and treat juvenile offenders and individuals on probation. He also previously served the boys and girls at Still Creek Ranch as the Ranch’s Clinical Director and one of its counselors.
Shawn grew up in northern Ohio and was a member of his hometown’s Lutheran Church (LCMS). Throughout his adulthood, he has served churches across America in many capacities, including on-call preacher, adult Sunday School teacher, Small Group leader, Youth Ministry leader, and praise team vocalist.
We are ready to walk with you during the rockiest roads of your journey
Counseling Services Provided
Relationships & Conflict
Relationships are often the most difficult part of our lives. They can provide companionship and comfort but can also be a source of conflict and pain. Regardless of gender, race, culture, faith or values, we will each face life events that challenge our sense of self. While unsure of which way to turn, we know our response to these events can define the remainder of our journey... a crossroad. I am honored to walk with you as you consider your paths and take those crucial steps.
Gal. 6:2
Trauma & PTSD
Every individual handles painful and traumatic experiences in a unique way. Anxiety, fear, anger and sadness are a few emotions that often linger long after traumatic events. Together, we can begin to overcome these symptoms, and move through the process of grief and healing toward joy.
James 1:2-4
Spiritual Doubt & Uncertainty
Humans need a sense of purpose and truth. Without purpose there is no hope. Without truth there is no way to be sure of our purpose. When we run out of answers or have been deceived, we are driven to construct our own answers from our limited and mortal consciousness. Finding certain truth is the first step in rediscovering our unique purpose, which gives us hope for a lifetime.
Psalm 25:5