Shelby Phillips

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience supporting individuals navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, emotional overwhelm, and major life transitions.

I earned my Masters in Social Work from Aurora University, where I built a strong foundation in understanding how our relationships, past experiences, and internal worlds shape the way we move through life. My background includes working in substance abuse treatment centers, psychiatric residential facilities, inpatient mental hospitals, and group outpatient therapy. Each opportunity has given me the privilege of supporting clients through a wide range of emotional and relational challenges.

My approach to therapy is relational, compassionate, and tailored to you. I often draw from attachment-based work, mindfulness, and insight-oriented approaches to help you better understand yourself, your patterns, and your needs—so you can begin to feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your life and relationships.

I’m committed to ongoing learning and regularly engage in continued education and consultation to ensure I’m providing thoughtful, effective care.

I believe therapy works best when you feel safe, understood and genuinely connected to the person sitting across from you. I show up as a real human first - someone who is present, curious and deeply respectful of your story. You won’t be judged or rushed here. Instead, I’ll meet you where you are and walk alongside you at your pace. All while helping you make sense of what you’re carrying and find a way forward that feels true for you.

It’s completely normal to feel nervous about your first session. Many of my clients come in feeling unsure of where to start—and that’s okay.

This first meeting is simply a space for you to begin. We’ll talk about what’s been weighing on you, what led you to reach out, and what you’re hoping might feel different. You don’t need to have a clear story or perfect words—I’ll help guide the conversation in a way that feels manageable.

We may begin identifying goals, but there’s no pressure to define everything right away. More than anything, I focus on creating a calm, supportive environment where you can exhale a bit and start to feel less alone in what you’re carrying.