Hi, I’m Shelby
I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, understood and connected to the person sitting across from you. I show up as a human first - someone who is present, curious and deeply respectful of your story. You won’t be judged or rushed here.
Many of the clients I work with feel overwhelmed and exhausted from trying to manage everything on their own. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, in the thick of parenting related stress, dealing with relationship challenges, or the lasting effects of deeply hurtful experiences, therapy can be a space to slow down and hold space for what you’ve been going through.
My approach to therapy is compassionate, collaborative and trauma-informed. I incorporate practical tools with deeper exploration so that therapy is both supportive and meaningful. Together, we focus on helping you better understand yourself and create the kind of life you want.
I founded Holding Space Counseling with the belief that there is something powerful about being truly seen and supported in your most vulnerable moments. Too often, people move through life feeling like they have to manage everything on their own or push their emotions aside to keep going. This practice was created to offer an alternative - a place where your emotions are welcome and your story matters.
When I’m not in session, you can usually find me spending time with my family and friends, perfecting my bread baking, or enjoying a vanilla latte and a new book.
My work as a therapist has been shaped by both formal training and the real, human experiences of sitting with people in their hardest moments.
My clinical background includes a Bachelors in Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago, then my Masters of Social Work—with a specialty in Addictions—at Aurora University. Following my education, I have worked in a variety of settings—from higher levels of care like inpatient and residential treatment to outpatient and early intervention work. This has given me experience supporting people through moments of crisis, as well as walking alongside them in longer-term healing and growth.
Because of this I am comfortable sitting with intensity—whether that looks like anxiety that feels all-consuming, the heaviness of depression, or navigating major life transitions. I also understand how important it is to move at your pace, creating space for both immediate support and deeper, lasting change.
How I Got Here
