Shelly Proper , LPC

Shelly Proper is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania with 17 years of clinical experience. She has worked across private practice, community agencies, the school system, and higher education, bringing a broad background that includes work with psychiatric conditions, addictions, physical and emotional trauma, grief and end-of-life care, menopause and healthy aging, and career and life coaching. Shelly has also supported educational planning and holds a post-master's certificate to teach psychology, which informs her collaborative work with students and learners.

Shelly’s approach is warm, empathetic, and interactive. She encourages clients to be the experts of their own lives and focuses on helping them identify options, build practical skills, and shift perspectives so they can make meaningful changes. Her clinical work draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, with an emphasis on clear boundaries within the therapeutic relationship.

Shelly works with adults aged 25 and older on concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, depression, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting, anger, self-esteem, career challenges, ADHD, and caregiver stress. She also provides focused support for first responder issues, veterans and armed forces concerns, postpartum depression, and hospice and end-of-life counseling. Shelly aims to help clients clarify goals and develop skills that support healthier, more satisfying lives.

Therapeutic approaches and flexible online care

Shelly commonly integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy into her practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on emotional experiences and relational patterns, supporting individuals and couples who are navigating attachment, grief, or relationship strain. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which encourages acceptance of difficult feelings while clarifying personal values and committing to meaningful action.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Shelly collaborates with clients to determine the best fit based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals tailor techniques over time so that the work aligns with each client’s pace and priorities.

Online therapy with Shelly offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, or through live chat and text-based messaging when appropriate. These options make it easier for clients to maintain continuity of care around work, family, and other commitments while accessing consistent therapeutic support from licensed therapists.