Like most of us, I’ve been through heavy things.
my why
And at each turn in my life someone showed up to help me, teach me, invite me in, hold space for me to be seen.
I’ve been fortunate to have a life wrapped in love and to have received the support, space and skills needed to listen to myself, metabolize pain & transform trauma so I could create meaning and purpose.
I choose my work as a way of giving back. We give the gifts we most need. Since 2003 I have helped thousands of people through teaching, counseling, coaching, trainings, workshops and retreats. I help you invite your whole-self home. A practice of mindfulness offers us the foundation for finding our ground and seeing our lives with clarity and perspective. Building a mindful life means we compassionately explore (maybe even embrace) the messy ground of being human in order to create more connected, sustainable and inspired lives.
I believe every human has a gift to offer this world.
my vision
We are wired for empathy, connection and generosity.
We have the ability to fuel our lives with purpose from a place of deep presence and authenticity. We have the profound capacity to transform our suffering into wisdom and to generate a ripple effect of self-love so powerful it wakes up worthiness in all around us. We grow & heal when we receive healthy connection through relationships. We can offer ourselves and others compassion that metabolizes years of shame and opens space for a new perspective & a new story. We have the ability to speak truth and empower others to raise their voices. We can lead families, teams, organizations from an integrated vision of wellbeing and contribute to healthier, happier planet.
why do we get stuck?
The growth/change process involves making mistakes, things falling apart, pain passed down through systems & families, nature taking it’s course, a global pandemic.
Opening to our evolution means we feel the impermanence of our world. But we don’t have to stay stuck in pain, loss, fear. Our early years shape us and our adult years bring the capacity for conscious choice. Our support must equal our challenge if we are to thrive. We are living in an unprecedented moment of challenge; never before have humans experienced this level of stimulation, content and global connection. A dramatic increase in busyness and decrease in integration time has led to an increasing challenge for emotional, mental and communal wellbeing. We can meet the challenge of this modern world by increasing our skills in mindfulness, self-awareness, life management, mental health and overall wellbeing.
Being human also means we experience suffering.
Education & Training
M.Ed., Vanderbilt University, Human Development Counseling 2005
Vanderbilt University Psychological and Counseling Center - Training
American Psychological Association Training Program
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Florida until 2014
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Kentucky
Certified Imagery Coach
Mindfulness Facilitator
Professional Bio
Shelly works out of Louisville, Kentucky, with individuals, businesses and schools to create meaningful, effective and integrative Mindful Wellbeing . Her theoretical framework includes developmental psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, somatic psychology, educational theory and contemplative arts & sciences.
She has worked as a counselor, educator, consultant, coach and mindfulness-based life skills instructor throughout her career, which began in 2004, and has created wellness businesses in Miami, Los Angeles, Nashville and Louisville.
Shelly has consulted with and worked for community agencies, public and private schools, non-profits, small businesses, corporations, colleges, universities and an eating disorder residential treatment center. She is a Founding Partner for Nashville's Center for Integrative Learning & Teaching and is a member of Vanderbilt University Human Development Counseling Advisory Board. Shelly attended graduate school and trained at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Shelly holds a license in Professional Clinical Counseling in the state of Kentucky. She offers psychotherapy for individuals in Kentucky. She offers Mindful Wellbeing Coaching and Mindfulness-Based Life Skills programs nationally.
I didn’t arrive at this work by myself. I’m grateful to be in the lineage of extraordinary teachers, mentors & guides throughout my life. A special thank you to Linda Manning, Kenneth Robinson, Gina Frieden, Claudia Edwards & Susan Kaiser Greenland.