- 25 years experience
- LCSW in Kentucky
- Client-centered care
About Shelley
Shelley Adkins is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of practice in Kentucky who helps adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and complicated life changes. She works with people dealing with relationship struggles, caregiving strain, chronic health challenges, and compassion fatigue. Shelley writes in plain, direct language and focuses on what needs to change now.
Shelley uses a practical, person-centered style in sessions. She listens first, then helps people set clear goals. Conversations focus on everyday coping skills, better communication, and manageable steps toward relief.
Her background includes long experience supporting people who have lived with trauma and abuse. She combines approaches that address strong emotions and the stories people tell about themselves. That mix helps when someone needs both emotional processing and concrete behavior changes.
Shelley draws on methods such as cognitive behavioral ideas and mindfulness to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and build new habits. Narrative and trauma-focused work are used when past events keep showing up in daily life. She adapts her approach to what each person needs and prefers.
Many clients come for help with burnout, parenting strain, family of origin issues, and codependency. Shelley supports people through career stress, aging and caregiving concerns, and life transitions. Her aim is to help people regain agency and practical ways to move forward.
How Shelley’s Approaches Work Online
Client-centered work focuses on the person rather than a fixed protocol. It involves listening closely, asking what matters most, and shaping sessions around personal goals. This approach helps when someone wants practical problem solving and clearer communication.Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. Shelley uses it to identify unhelpful thought patterns and teach simple skills to shift responses. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and everyday stress management.
Mindfulness therapy helps people notice their moment-to-moment experience without judgment. Simple breathing and attention practices can reduce reactivity and improve coping, especially for overwhelm and compassion fatigue.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shelley will collaborate with each person to pick methods that fit their needs, goals, and comfort level. Together they review what helps most and adjust the plan over time.
For online therapy logistics, confirm the session formats that are currently offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find these practical benefits help them stay consistent with therapy while balancing daily responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Credentials
Kentucky
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Shelley address?
Shelley works with adults dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and relationship issues. She also helps with caregiver burnout, compassion fatigue, codependency, and life transitions.
What is her therapeutic style like?
She uses a client-centered approach that starts with listening and setting practical goals. Sessions blend conversational support with techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and habits.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 25 years of experience working with adults on a range of emotional and life challenges. That background includes work with trauma, chronic health issues, and caregiver concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
Shelley holds the credential LCSW and practices in Kentucky. The profile uses the credential as supplied.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered at the time. The therapist's profile does not list specific formats here.
How is payment handled and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the booking process.
How do I begin working with Shelley?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability. That process begins the connection and scheduling steps.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.