Psychotherapy
Invest in Yourself
Psychotherapy is for individuals who want lasting change.
Dr. Shelley provides you with the highest level of expertise in the field.
Dr . Shelley treats individuals, couples, and families.
Individual Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can help individuals experiencing a wide array of psychological, emotional, or social challenges. It can help alleviate symptoms (e.g. anxiety, panic, depression, ADHD) and help identify the psychological root causes so a person can function better and experience greater joy. Psychotherapy can often:
Help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves.
Help identify true desires and needs, and provide insight into why certain behaviors may be difficult, such as setting boundaries or speaking up.
Help empower you to confront and heal from any painful childhood experiences.
Help you work through traumatic life experiences.
Help you adjust to life transitions in healthy ways.
Help improve interpersonal relationships and give individuals the confidence to take on challenges they may have avoided in the past.
Find creative solutions to understand difficult situations in your life.
Help you develop tools to manage and cope with stressors more effectively.
Gain greater control over your life's direction and experience an increase in life satisfaction.
Help discover the skills and insights necessary to lead more fulfilling lives.
Develop goals and new habits and routines to help you meet these goals.
There are several different types of psychotherapy approaches. Determining which type will be most effective to help and your situation takes a high level of expertise and experience. As a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Shelley has advanced training and experience in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Parent Training, and Family Systems, among other techniques. Dr. Shelley is trained to work with individuals, couples, and the family and has over 20 years of experience with these interventions.
Although used interchangeably at times, psychotherapy is different from “counseling” in that psychotherapy seeks to explore/reveal the underlying factors that are contributing to ongoing concerns. The focus is to increase insight to help change and shift underlying factors to resolve longstanding problems. At times, psychotherapy targets making permanent changes through modifying behavior patterns, shifting mindset, and building an understanding of emotional triggers, as well as increasing an understanding of personality factors, underlying fears, and motivators unique to each individual. Psychotherapy is often a longer-term, but more effective method that increases the likelihood of lasting change. As a psychologist, Dr. Shelley is trained in psychological testing and has years of experience working with various psychological measures, including personality tests.
Psychotherapy Sessions
Psychotherapy may be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting. Sessions are typically held once a week for about 50 minutes. Both patients and psychologists need to be actively involved in psychotherapy. Having a trusting relationship with your psychologist is extremely important for working together effectively and making gains from psychotherapy. Dr. Shelley will ensure that a trusting relationship is built, or she will refer you to a trusted colleague.
Psychotherapy can be short-term (months), dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (years), dealing with longer-standing and complex issues. If you enter treatment, with Dr. Shelley, your individualized treatment goals and the duration and frequency of your treatment will be discussed.
Dr. Shelley is devoted to the highest standard of confidentiality for her patients. Your participation as a patient and all information you discuss and provide is protected by psychologist-patient privilege, except in cases of child or elder abuse or if you become a danger to yourself or others. At times, Dr. Shelley may need to consult with another psychologist about your care. If so, every effort will be made to maintain the utmost privacy. You will achieve the highest level of privacy if you see Dr. Shelley as a private pay client. If you decide to bill insurance, the insurance company has the right to access your confidential medical information. Dr. Shelley is happy to explain this further to you during your first session.
Psychotherapy and Medication
Psychotherapy is often used in combination with medication to treat psychological concerns. Due to her vast experience working in medical settings, Dr. Shelley is an expert in coordinating with your medical provider for your medication needs. Research shows that psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for many psychological concerns in the long term. However, in some circumstances, medication may be indicated and Dr. Shelley can work with you to communicate about this effectively with your physician. Healthy lifestyle improvements, such as healthy nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, can also be valuable in supporting recovery and overall wellness.
Does Psychotherapy Work?
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. The large majority of people who enter psychotherapy show some benefit from it. Psychotherapy has been shown to improve emotional and psychological well-being and is linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less disability, fewer medical problems, and increased work satisfaction.
With the use of brain imaging techniques researchers have been able to see changes in the brain after a person has undergone psychotherapy. Numerous studies have identified brain changes in people with mental illness (including depression, panic disorder, PTSD, and other conditions) as a result of undergoing psychotherapy. In most cases, the brain changes resulting from psychotherapy were similar to changes resulting from medication.
To help get the most out of psychotherapy, approach your therapy as a collaborative effort, be open and honest, and follow your agreed-upon treatment plan. Follow through with any assignments between sessions, such as writing in a journal or practicing what you’ve talked about.
Couples and Family Psychotherapy
Research has shown that the #1 predictor of a long life is whether or not a person has healthy, supportive relationships. Dr. Shelley understands that the pursuit of healthy relationships can often be a long and difficult journey. She is also mindful of the fact that effective work with couples and families requires advanced training and expertise. Not every therapist is trained to work with couples and families.
Dr. Shelley has training and extensive experience using numerous treatment methods including The Gottman Method, Emotion-Focused Couple’s Therapy, The Developmental Model of Couple’s Therapy, and Family Systems. Dr. Shelley’s work with couples and families typically begins with an 80-minute intake with the couple/family so that a thorough evaluation of concerns, goals, and treatment plan can be established. Sessions with couples and families typically run 50-55 minutes and often result in:
Improved communication between members; improved listening
Develop greater cohesion and vision in the family
Increase the understanding of differences
Identifying couple/family goals and developing systems and routines to work toward goals
Improve parenting effectiveness and find common ground in different approaches
Develop more respect, intimacy, and friendship within the relationship through identified relationship skills
Identify how past experiences are affecting the relationship
Develop a unified family value system that is a reflection of each family member