Shelby Sawyer
I’m a licensed clinical social worker who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship and family stress, parenting, and major life transitions. I bring a warm, down-to-earth approach to therapy and want you to feel comfortable being fully yourself, without having to filter or have everything figured out before you walk through the door.
First session
My biggest priority in our first session is building rapport and helping you feel comfortable. I know it can feel strange to share personal parts of your life with someone you have just met, so I want our first conversation to feel human rather than like an interview. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and what you hope to get from it, but I’ll also share a little about myself and how I work so you don’t feel like you’re talking to a complete stranger. By the end of the session, my goal is for you to have a sense of who I am as a therapist, whether we feel like a good fit, and what our work together could look like.
Strengths
My approach is active, conversational, and collaborative. I don’t just sit back and listen while you do all the talking. I ask questions, offer observations, help you make connections, and engage in the kind of back-and-forth conversation that can lead to new perspectives and practical next steps. I balance that honesty and involvement with warmth, compassion, and an approach tailored to the person in front of me.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who wants a warm, accepting space where they can show up as themselves, while also wanting a therapist who will actively engage, offer honest feedback, and help them move toward meaningful change. You do not have to have everything figured out before starting therapy, just a willingness to be curious about yourself and open to building greater confidence, self-trust, and connection with who you are.
Treatment methods
Eclectic
I use an eclectic approach because I don’t believe therapy should look the same for every person. I draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, DBT-informed skills, interpersonal therapy, solution-focused therapy, and trauma-informed care, adapting what we use based on your needs, goals, personality, and what is actually helpful for you. Sessions are collaborative and active, so we may explore patterns and past experiences while also focusing on practical strategies and changes you can use in everyday life.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- North CarolinaLicense C014354