Shelly is a relationship and communication expert with over 16 years of counseling, mental health, and behavioral health experience.
Specialties:
Shelly specializes in getting to the root of the problem.
She excels in teaching communication skills and rebuilding emotional connections in couples counseling. Her couples counseling work includes: rebuilding trust, recovering from infidelity, teaching practical communication tools, and helping couples communicate and understand each other.
Her specialty is breaking down complex emotional issues into easy-to-understand pieces.
Background:
Shelly graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She received her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Houston in 2009.
While in graduate school, Shelly worked as a Mental Health Associate at The Menninger Clinic, where she gained firsthand experience working within a healthcare setting and alongside a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, social workers, and medical providers. She then worked at The Montrose Center, where she provided clinical case management, supported LGBTQ+ youth in on-site school groups, and led intensive outpatient (IOP) groups for chemical dependency before transitioning into a staff therapist role.
Shelly later joined Family Houston as a Senior Clinician. During her time there, she provided clinical services to clients, presented continuing education to clinicians, collaborated with psychiatrists, and worked closely with other therapists to support clients with a variety of behavioral and mental health needs.
For the past seven years, Shelly has owned and practiced in private practice in Friendswood, Texas. Her professional experience includes focused assessments, short-term goal-oriented counseling, and longer-term therapy.
Shelly is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas (TX LPC #66704).
Counseling Style:
Professional, Compassionate, Collaborative, Non-Judgmental, Practical, Solution-Focused
Methods:
Shelly individualizes treatment based on her clients and their goals. She uses a combination of Gottman method, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy for couples and individual counseling.
Her past work experience includes motivational interviewing and brief solution-focused therapy.
Working with Shelly:
Clients describe Shelly as warm, approachable, and easy to talk to. She brings a genuine, down-to-earth style to counseling while also being direct and solution-focused. She has a natural ability to make complex emotions feel understandable and manageable. She focuses on helping clients develop practical tools and strategies they can carry with them beyond the counseling session.
A Little More About Shelly
What are your favorite books? Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon, Born Survivor by Wendy Holden, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
What are your favorite TV shows? Does anyone remember the TV show "The West Wing"? I loved that show and could probably re-watch it anytime. Anything written by Aaron Sorkin is a personal favorite of mine. I am also watching The Chosen right now, and it has been so incredible.
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas is the most meaningful to me. But I really love New Year's too.
What do you do when you are not counseling? I like spending time outside and spending time with family and friends. I love reading, going for walks, listening to podcasts, and going to church. I am also a coffee and plant lover.
Do you have any favorite quotes? "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou