About Shawn
Shawn McBride is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Bowie, Maryland, with 25 years of experience helping couples and individuals navigate relationships. As both a therapist and ordained pastor, he combines clinical expertise with spiritual grounding — informed by his own 30-year marriage.
At the Couples Counseling Center, Shawn works with couples at every stage — dating, engaged, or married — helping them break the patterns that block intimacy and rebuild after betrayal. He's also known for his focused work with Black men, offering group therapy that addresses trauma, emotional wellness, and the weight of unspoken wounds.
For couples in crisis, he offers intensives ranging from 3-hour focused sessions to immersive 3-day programs — for the deeper work that weekly sessions often can't reach.
Background & Training
Practicing since 2001
Master's Degree in Counseling / MA
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) / License
Prepare Enrich Assessments / Certification
American Counseling Association (ACA) / Member
American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) / Member
Ordained Wedding Officiant / Ordination
Offerings
Marriage Counseling
55 min / In person & virtual
Ongoing couples therapy available weekly, twice per month, or monthly to help married couples work through conflict, rebuild trust, and strengthen their bond.
Premarital Counseling
55 min / In person & virtual
Structured counseling for engaged couples to build communication skills, understand each other's patterns, and prepare intentionally for a lasting marriage.
Couples Assessment
Varies / In person & virtual
Prepare/Enrich-based assessment to identify relationship strengths and growth areas as a foundation for counseling.
3-Hour Counseling Intensive
3 hours / In person & virtual
Emergency individual or couples session to get to the root of issues faster than weekly 55-minute sessions allow. Available in person or virtually within 24 hours.
8-Hour Couples Counseling Intensive
8 hours / In person & virtual
For couples on the verge of breakup or divorce making a final effort to salvage the relationship, including affair and betrayal recovery.
3-Day Couples Intensive
3 days (18 hours total) / In person
Immersive 18-hour program over three days designed to repair broken relationships. Includes relational building exercises with Shawn and his team. Research-backed to be three times more effective than traditional weekly therapy.
Group Therapy for Black Men
1 hour per session / Virtual
7-week weekly group therapy sessions specifically for Black men, covering childhood trauma, core wounds, and emotional wellness. Level 1 is for those new to Shawn's programs.
Family Counseling
55 min / In person & virtual
Counseling for families navigating conflict, communication breakdowns, and relational dynamics.
Dating Counseling
55 min / In person & virtual
Counseling for individuals who are dating and want to develop healthier relationship patterns before marriage.
Individual Counseling (Men)
55 min / In person & virtual
One-on-one counseling for men working through personal challenges, trauma, and emotional growth.
Individual Counseling (Women)
55 min / In person & virtual
One-on-one counseling for women navigating personal, relational, or emotional challenges.
I Can Help If You're Navigating
Romantic Relationship Struggles
Intimacy & Sexual Connection
Communication & Conflict
Heartbreak & Breakups
Divorce & Co-Parenting
Family Dynamics & Boundaries
Childhood Trauma
Shadow Work & Inner Child
Anger & Emotional Regulation
Self-Worth & Confidence
Stress Management
Addiction & Recovery
Loneliness & Social Connection
Codependency & Attachment
What Clients Say
★★★★★
"With the help of Pastor McBride, our marriage was saved and we survived marital infidelity."
Client
★★★★★
"Thank you, Pastor McBride, for giving us excellent counsel and guidance as we prepared for our marriage through premarital counseling. We feel very prepared!"
Client
★★★★★
"Pastor McBride, your counsel and guidance for our teenage son was phenomenal. Thank you for your help and expertise!"
Client
★★★★★
"Pastor McBride, thank you for your listening ear!"
Client
★★★★★
"Pastor McBride, I appreciate you helping me as a grown man, finally deal with many dark areas in my life that I have neglected for so many years."
Client
Reach Out to Shawn
Send Shawn a message
Tell them a bit about what you're going through. No commitment, no pressure.
