Shelly Goodman

Shelly Goodman is an LPC with 13 years of experience in mental health and substance use work. She earned a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Michigan State University. Shelly focuses on helping people manage anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, and substance-related concerns. She works with adolescents, young adults, and adults who want practical support for everyday struggles.

Shelly creates a calm, collaborative space where the person’s goals guide the work. Sessions are conversational and goal-focused. She helps people notice patterns, try small changes, and track what helps them feel better.

Her approach blends several methods so therapy fits each person. Techniques draw from cognitive behavioral strategies to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness practices and acceptance-based ideas are used to increase present-moment awareness and reduce avoidance.

Shelly also uses motivational interviewing to explore ambivalence about change and support commitment to recovery or new habits. She frames progress as a series of small steps, not instant fixes. This can help people dealing with addiction, motivation issues, or hard life transitions.

People who prefer a direct but warm style often find this approach useful. Sessions focus on practical skills, clearer communication, and planning next steps. Shelly aims to help people build tools they can use outside the therapy hour.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Many of Shelly’s methods fit well into remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors, which translates into practical homework and brief check-ins online. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on values and willingness to feel difficult emotions, and works well through guided exercises and values-based planning during sessions. Motivational Interviewing supports people who feel unsure about change by using reflective conversation to build motivation and a plan for next steps.

Shelly treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She will discuss goals, preferences, and past efforts with each person. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan based on what works for the client.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current online options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals can use video or phone in ways that focus on skill practice, planning, and tracking progress, helping therapy fit into everyday routines without overhauling them.