New to Grow
My name is Shelly Keene, and I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist living in Anchorage, Alaska, while providing telehealth services to clients in California, the place I’ve called home for most of my life. I’m committed to creating a safe, supportive space where you can express your feelings openly and feel genuinely heard and validated. My approach is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and collaboration, and I work at your pace while honoring the fact that you are the expert of your own life. I draw from a range of evidence‑based modalities to tailor treatment to your unique needs, experiences, and goals. My intention is to help therapy feel approachable, empowering, and centered around what matters most to you.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session is designed to help us get to know one another and begin building a foundation of trust and comfort. I’ll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, what you hope to gain, and any questions you may have about the process. We may spend time exploring your history, your current concerns, or simply focusing on rapport if that feels more supportive for you. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, understood, and not rushed into anything before you’re ready. Together, we’ll begin shaping a direction for our work that feels collaborative, intentional, and aligned with your needs.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My strengths as a therapist lie in my ability to listen deeply, respond with intention, and create a validating environment where clients feel genuinely supported. Since beginning this work in 2018, I’ve developed an integrative, evidence‑based style that draws from CBT, DBT, ACT, SFBT, MI, etc. to ensure treatment is flexible, personalized, and effective. I’m skilled at helping clients understand their emotional patterns, build practical coping tools, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Clients often share that they feel fully seen and engaged in our sessions, and I take pride in offering a therapeutic space that balances warmth, structure, and meaningful progress so they can move through life with greater confidence and clarity.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I work with adults and adolescents who are navigating a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, anger, and the stressors that come with major life transitions. Many of my clients are seeking clarity, stability, or healthier ways to cope with overwhelming emotions or relational conflict. I also have extensive experience supporting individuals impacted by substance use—whether they are working through their own patterns or coping with the effects of a loved one’s addiction. My ideal clients are those who are ready to explore their inner world with honesty and vulnerability, even if they’re unsure where to begin. I’m here to meet you exactly where you are and help you move toward where you want to be.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns and explore more balanced, realistic alternatives that support healthier coping. I use CBT collaboratively and at your pace, ensuring the tools feel practical and relevant to your daily life. My goal is to help you build skills that increase emotional regulation, reduce distress, and empower you to navigate challenges with greater confidence.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is woven into my work to help clients build practical skills for managing intense emotions and navigating challenging situations. I incorporate tools like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to support clients in responding rather than reacting. These skills are introduced gradually and practiced collaboratively so they feel accessible and relevant to everyday life. My goal is to help clients strengthen resilience, increase emotional stability, and create more balanced, effective patterns of coping.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) guides my work by helping clients build psychological flexibility and relate to their thoughts and emotions with less struggle. I support clients in identifying what truly matters to them and using those values to shape meaningful, intentional action. Together, we practice skills like acceptance, mindfulness, and cognitive defusion to reduce the impact of unhelpful thoughts. My goal is to help clients move toward a life that feels aligned, purposeful, and grounded in what they care about most.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution Focused Brief Treatment (SFBT) shapes my work by helping clients identify their existing strengths and the small, meaningful steps that move them toward their preferred future. I focus on what’s already working, highlight moments of success, and collaborate with clients to build on those patterns. Together, we explore clear, achievable goals and use solution‑oriented questions to uncover possibilities rather than staying stuck in problems. My aim is to help clients create practical, realistic change by emphasizing hope, capability, and forward movement.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) guides my work by helping clients explore their own reasons for change in a supportive, non‑judgmental space. I use open‑ended questions, reflections, and affirmations to strengthen clients’ confidence and highlight the values that matter most to them. Rather than pushing for change, I collaborate with clients to resolve ambivalence at their pace and in a way that feels authentic. My goal is to help clients build internal motivation and take meaningful steps toward the life they want.