Emily C SheltonLPC

The biggest lesson I was taught and instill in myself today is to never work harder than my client. I will help you and be there for you every step of the way. However, I will not do more work than you in the process; this is for you, not me, and you have to want it for yourself.

Success in therapy can look like many things- a decrease in symptoms, completing a task you have been avoiding or wanting to accomplish, or simply feeling a little better as time goes on. You will be able to feel it when you are making progress; you will noticing you are caring for yourself more, you are accomplishing goals you set, you are giving yourself more grace, your symptoms are decreasing and more manageable, etc.

I believe in free expression and meeting my clients where they are at in the moment. If silence is needed, we can be silent for a moment. I do not try to filter my clients and allow them to speak and interact in whatever ways they are comfortable while still keeping professional boundaries in tact.

• Illinois, LPC, 178.017127

I have worked in community mental health for a few years where I have conducted both psychoeducational and processing groups, connected clients to resources, and conducted individual sessions. Before graduation while interning I developed and led a women's group for women in a recovery home focused on substance use, mental health, and women's issues. I have also worked in a residential settings with adolescents experiencing mental illness. I specialize in substance abuse and co-occurring disorders meaning that there is a substance abuse and mental health issue occurring simultaneously. I believe in helping my clients achieve their goals by building trust and rapport while also using evidence-based practices to learn how to decrease and manage symptoms.