Hi, I'm Shelley! Do you feel like you are stuck in a cycle and can't get out? Do you feel unseen and unwanted? Are you struggling with showing yourself grace and mercy? I help people who are struggling with life issues develop better skills to cope with and redirect their lives in the way that makes them more genuine with themselves and others. Together, we explore how you view the world and if your view or thinking patterns can be adjusted to help you grow. I specialize in helping teens and adults work on symptoms of depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors, life stressors, and life transitions. My goal as a therapist is to be open, honest, genuine. I will provide unconditional positive regard. I love mixing talk therapy with things you can use daily to improve your view of yourself and your life. Therapy can be scary, being open to someone you don't know is risky. I want to provide a safe space for you to be yourself. I look forward to meeting you! Shelley
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During the first session, we will establish the "rules" of therapy, exploring confidentiality, the limits of confidentiality, my schedule, the types of therapy techniques that I use, and what you can expect of me. We will then explore what brings you to therapy and what you would like your goals to be. What do you want to achieve by attending therapy?
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have often worked with trauma and self-harming individuals to better understand how to cope with their pain. I am loving and supportive. I can be challenging and blunt. I am honest and want to help you see yourself as the best person you can be.
About Shelley Smith
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use person-centered therapy practices, focusing on who you are, and how you see yourself. In person centered therapy, it is important for the therapist to be genuine (real, authentic), show unconditional positive regard (I will strive to always be accepting and have a positive view of who you are), and to practice empathy (to understand things from the client's point of view).
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I like to use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques where we explore how your thinking influences your behaviors and emotions.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques, focusing on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-focused CBT can help clients to learn to sit with their trauma, acknowledge and handle the pain and frustration without becoming overwhelmed and held down by trauma.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
CPT is used to help address PTSD symptoms in which people get stuck on negative, unhelpful thoughts that define who they are because of a trauma, this type of therapy can assist the client in identifying stuck points and learning how to process those into healthier ways to think. The main themes for CPT are safety, trust, power and control, esteem, and intimacy.