(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Shelly — a licensed professional counselor with a passion for helping people find their footing when life feels overwhelming. My journey in mental health began decades ago in music therapy, working in psychiatric settings where I first witnessed the remarkable capacity people have to heal when given the right support and a safe space. That foundation shapes the way I work to this day — with attunement, creativity, and a deep belief in each person's capacity to heal. I specialize in anxiety, OCD, trauma, and addiction recovery, using evidence-based approaches including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients build real, lasting skills rather than just temporary relief. I have a particular heart for neurodivergent individuals — including those with ADHD and autism — who may have spent years feeling misunderstood. You do fit — sometimes it just takes the right space to discover that. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. Good therapy isn't just about insight — it's about leaving each session with something you can actually use. I'll meet you where you are, move at a pace that feels right, and work hard to make sure our time together is meaningful. For clients who desire it, I welcome the integration of faith and spirituality into our work. I believe healing touches the whole person — mind, heart, and spirit — and that for many people, faith isn't separate from their healing but central to it. I hold that with care and without pressure. Whether you're navigating a specific struggle or carrying a weight you've held for too long, you don't have to do it alone. Reaching out is the hardest step — and I'm really glad you're here. I'd love the opportunity to connect.
Your first session with me is an intake appointment, which means it looks a little different from our ongoing work together. Think of it less as diving into the deep end and more as getting oriented — a chance for us to meet, for me to learn about you, and for you to get a feel for what working together might be like. During our intake, I'll ask about what's bringing you to therapy, your personal history, and any relevant background — things like past mental health treatment, medical history, and what's been going on in your life recently. Some of those questions may feel clinical, and that's because this session has a functional purpose: it helps me understand the full picture so I can show up for you well in every session after. But it's not just a checklist. I genuinely want to know what's been hard, what you've already tried, and what you're hoping for. You won't be expected to share everything at once — we'll go at a pace that feels safe for you. By the end of our first session, my goal is for you to leave feeling heard, to have a clearer sense of what our work together might focus on, and to feel good about taking this step. We'll also talk about next steps, frequency of sessions, and begin outlining a treatment plan tailored to your goals. You don't have to prepare anything or have the right words. Just come as you are.
What I hear most from clients is that they finally feel like someone truly gets them — not just their symptoms, but the whole person behind them. That's something I work hard to cultivate from the very first session. I bring a clinically rich background to every client I work with. My training spans Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), trauma-informed care, and neurodivergent-affirming care — which means I'm not locked into a single way of working. I also have Level One training in the Gottman Method, giving me a research-backed foundation for working with couples navigating conflict, disconnection, or communication breakdowns. One thing clients consistently appreciate is that I don't just apply techniques — I explain the reasoning behind them. I believe you deserve to understand the tools we're using and why, because that knowledge is part of what makes them stick. My roots in music therapy also set me apart. Before becoming a counselor, I worked as a music therapist — and that experience gave me a deep understanding of how the nervous system holds emotion, how healing happens beneath the level of words, and how to attune to a client in ways that go beyond traditional talk therapy. That sensibility is woven into everything I do. Having lived abroad for over twenty years, I've had the privilege of building relationships across cultures, worldviews, and walks of life. That experience shaped me into a therapist who genuinely values diversity and approaches every client with curiosity rather than assumption. I believe God places each of us in a unique story — and I hold yours with deep respect. Faith is not an add-on in my practice — it's woven into how I understand people, healing, and hope. For clients who share that foundation, I welcome the integration of Scripture, prayer, and spiritual reflection into our work. For those who don't, I bring the same warmth, care, and commitment to walking alongside you well. My goal is always the same: to show up fully prepared, genuinely invested, and focused on helping you move forward — wherever you're starting from.
My ideal client is someone who is ready to do the work — not because everything feels manageable, but because they're tired of feeling stuck and are willing to take that first step. You don't have to have it all figured out to show up. You just have to show up. I work best with clients navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, addiction recovery, or major life transitions. I'm especially drawn to working with neurodivergent individuals — including those with ADHD and autism — who may have spent years feeling misunderstood and are looking for a therapist who gets it and meets them where they are. If you've tried therapy before and felt like something was missing — like the approach was too generic, the space didn't feel safe enough, or the tools just didn't stick — I'd love the chance to try a different way together. You don't have to be in crisis to deserve support. And you don't have to do this alone.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is at the heart of how I work with clients. Rather than a rigid protocol, I use DBT as a living framework — one that meets people where they are and gives them practical, real-world tools they can actually use between sessions. I find that DBT works especially well for clients who feel like their emotions are in the driver's seat, who struggle to find balance in relationships, or who are working through trauma, addiction, or major life transitions. The skills are concrete and learnable, and I genuinely enjoy teaching them. My goal is always for you to leave each session with something tangible — not just insight, but tools.
Faith based therapy
I believe that healing is holistic — that who you are spiritually, emotionally, and relationally are deeply connected, and that lasting change happens when we tend to all of it. As a faith-informed counselor, I welcome the integration of faith, values, and spirituality into our work for clients who desire it. I meet people where they are — honoring your story, your beliefs, and your sense of purpose — and walk alongside you as we work toward the life you're hoping for. I'm honored to do this work, and I'd be honored to do it with you.
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
For clients navigating OCD or anxiety, I use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) — a highly effective, evidence-based approach that helps you gradually face what feels overwhelming and break the cycles that keep you stuck. Rather than avoiding the thoughts or situations that trigger distress, ERP works by building your tolerance and confidence over time, so that anxiety loses its grip on your daily life.