Shelly Hughes

I’m Shelly Hughes, LCSW, a therapist and the owner of Wonder Works Counseling. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 2022 and my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Oklahoma City University. My approach to therapy is warm, practical, trauma-informed, and focused on helping clients understand themselves rather than simply trying to “fix” symptoms.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, emotional dysregulation, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and challenges related to self-esteem and coping. I have specialized training in EMDR, Play Therapy, Sand Tray Therapy, Somatic Therapy, CBT, and DBT. With children, I often use play-based approaches to help them communicate and process experiences in ways that feel natural and developmentally appropriate. With adults, I integrate evidence-based approaches with trauma-focused and somatic techniques to help clients develop greater emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience.

I believe therapy should be a place where you can be honest without feeling judged. Many of the people I work with have spent years feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or like they are somehow “too much” or “not enough.” My goal is to create a space where you can slow down, understand what is happening beneath the surface, and develop tools that actually fit your life.

I especially enjoy working with clients who are navigating ADHD, trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, and relationship or family stress. I also work with parents who are trying to better understand and support their children.

My goal is not to tell you who you should be. It is to help you understand yourself, heal from what you have experienced, and build a life that feels more manageable and authentic to you.

My therapy approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and individualized. I believe therapy works best when clients feel understood, respected, and actively involved in the process. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I draw from evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, EMDR, somatic therapy, and play therapy based on each client’s needs and goals.

I help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and past experiences. For clients dealing with trauma, anxiety, ADHD, or emotional dysregulation, I focus on building safety and coping skills before moving into deeper processing. I also incorporate practical strategies clients can use between sessions.

With children and adolescents, I use developmentally appropriate, creative approaches—including play therapy—to help them express emotions, build regulation skills, improve confidence, and strengthen relationships. With adults, I focus on creating a space where they can explore difficult experiences without judgment while developing healthier patterns and greater self-understanding.

My goal is for therapy to be a place where you don't have to have everything figured out before you walk through the door. We work together to understand what is getting in the way and identify meaningful steps toward change.

During our first session, we’ll focus on getting to know you and understanding what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about your current concerns, your history, your strengths, and what you hope to get out of counseling. I’ll also explain how I work and answer any questions you may have about the therapy process.

You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly what you want to work on. My goal is to create a comfortable, judgment-free space where you can be yourself and begin identifying what you need.

Together, we’ll start developing goals for therapy and determine which approaches may be most helpful. Depending on your needs, this may include practical coping strategies, exploring patterns and relationships, learning emotional regulation skills, or beginning the process of trauma stabilization.

Most importantly, the first session is about building a foundation for our work together. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we’ll move at a pace that feels appropriate for you.