Hi! My name is Shelley and I'm a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minnesota. I've been providing counseling services for 25 years and have had the opportunity to work with an extremely diverse population. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional that is specialized in working with First Responders, Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Military/Veterans and their family members. Although I specialize in this population, I see clients who do not identify trauma as a presenting issue and are not in this specific line of work! Most of my experience has been working with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, phase of life changes, and communications. I also have worked with severe and persistent mental health clients and their families regarding long-term mental health placements.
I believe that clients will progress quicker if they are provided with a safe environment and a caring, respectful therapeutic relationship. My therapy delivery consists of a client-centered approach, motivational interviewing, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care perspective, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. My style is casual and relaxed, and I've been known to use humor and analogies, which usually help to improve our rapport.
I am a new Grandmother (aka Yaya), Mom, wife, daughter, sister, favorite aunt, friend and counselor. I have been a volunteer with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Mental Health Manager, responding to natural and/or man-made disasters for 15 years. When I’m not working or volunteering, you will most likely find me fishing (year-round), cheering at a football game, or spending time with my family.
I want to align with you to help you feel empowered, increase your self-reliance, create and hone healthy living skills, and to live your best life! I look forward to working with you!!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Antisocial Personality, Blended Family Issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Men's issues, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood disorders , Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shelley Shaffer. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Shelley has been so wonderful. She has provided me with the support I need to navigate my current issues. She listens intently and provides gentle suggestions! I will continue to work with her even if I am in a better place now because I can see myself continually improving with her guidance. Love working with Shelley!
Written on Jul 12, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Shelley has been very prompt and courteous in our email communications. Looking forward to continuing counseling with video conferences. Very high recommendation!
Written on Jul 09, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and self esteem
Shelley is WONDERFUL!! I appreciate her being there for me.
Written on Jun 14, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety
She is such a wonderful person and very respectful and kind knows how to communicate well and help others.
Written on Jun 06, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 2 weeks
She’s awesome!
Written on May 13, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
I feel like I have a strong support, advocate and friend in Shelly, she is amazing!!
Written on Mar 27, 2020 after therapy with Shelley for 4 months