Shelena is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. She has worked in the field of mental health for 10 years and in private practice for the past 5 years. She has experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She received her BA in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry and her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She loves working with individuals to help them reframe negative thinking and behaviors. She utilizes treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, and Reality Therapy. She believes that given the right tools we all can become the best version of ourselves.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
For a first session, clients can expect a safe space to express themselves while working on the therapeutic relationship by establishing and building rapport and trust. Clients will leave their first session feeling a sense of relief and hope toward meeting there therapeutic goals and starting their therapy journey.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My therapeutic approach centers around building trust and actively listening to create a safe environment. I believe building trust helps clients become more open minded to making a change and learning how to heal themselves. In addition, trust helps with the therapeutic method of applying CBT and DBT therapy to assist clients with restructuring and reframing their maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that is preventing them from healing their traumas. The results from this approach has shown attachment to past traumas and the different stages of change.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
African American men and women who are struggling with the full variety of life's worries and stressors. I like to help client's learn, unlearn, and relearn skills to help them develop a realistic mindset for their past, present, and future self.
Existential
Existential therapy is a form of talk therapy that helps you understand how you fit into the world. We will explore how your choices influence your future. A client may choose this type of therapy if you experience anxiety, fear or depression. Furthermore, this treatment is most helpful for client's looking to gain more insight into their emotions while using techniques and coping skills used in Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psycho-social intervention that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective means of treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
20 ratings with written reviews
November 23, 2025
Ms. Clay is amazing. She listens to understand not just listens to respond. She gives you clarity and understanding. She works with you through the process and not just leave you to figure it out. Talking to her makes me feel better everytime.
October 30, 2025
I am excited to work with Shelena. I like the fact that she's focused on how I can best achieve my goals. She is a realist and an empath and I'm eager to continue to meet with her.
October 30, 2025
Very warm and easy to talk to