“Shelby has been an amazing mentor to me in my own therapeutic practice. Her candor, warmth, and relatable nature make her my go-to person whenever I’m feeling out of alignment.”
— Sabrina H.
Meet Shelby
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over twenty years of experience helping individuals and couples heal, grow, and strengthen their relationships.
My work is rooted in compassion and depth-oriented therapy for those navigating grief, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship challenges — offered both in-person in Newport Beach and through secure telehealth sessions across California.
“I highly recommend Shelby to my colleagues, as a fellow therapist and holistic health advocate.”
— Diana S.
My Approach
I believe lasting change comes from understanding both the mind and body. My approach blends talk therapy with somatic awareness, drawing from my background as a yoga instructor and birth doula.
I’m trained in EMDR and integrate mindfulness-based and evidence-informed modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. Whether you’re working through trauma, rebuilding trust, or seeking greater self-understanding, I offer a space grounded in warmth, integrity, and care.
“Shelby is like a magnet for connecting people from all walks of life. The OC Shrinks community has been essential in starting my career and private practice in Newport Beach. ”
— Megan S.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Outside of my clinical practice, I’m the founder of OC Shrinks, a growing community designed to connect and support fellow therapists. Whether you’re seeking personal growth or professional connection, I’m passionate about helping you feel grounded, capable, and seen.
Education, Licensure & Certification
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist MFC 43726
M.A. Psychology, Saint Mary’s College, Moraga (2001)
B.S. Psychology, Saint Mary’s College, Moraga (1998)
Professional Memberships
Board of Directors, CAST-OC (Couples and Sex Therapists of Orange County)
Member, Orange County Chapter of Marriage and Family Therapists
Member, IAEDP Orange County Chapter (International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals)
Clinical Member, California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
National Association of Professional Women
Founder, OC Shrinks — A professional community supporting collaboration among Orange County therapists.
Certifications
EMDR Level 1 Certified, The Institute for Creative Mindfulness (2016)
RYT 500, Advanced Yoga Teacher, Cloud Nine Yoga (2009)
Certified Birth Doula (CD), Full Circle, Berkeley (1996)
“I saw Shelby when my marriage was ending. I was angry and had many dark thoughts going through my head. Shelby was able to reach that place of trust that I needed to really open up. I found the sessions very low-key, but we had some tremendous breakthroughs. I shared thoughts with Shelby that I never revealed to anyone.”
— Mike P.
Media & Community Contributions
Shelby contributes to the mental health field through her writing, interviews, and thought leadership, with a focus on emotional well-being, self-awareness, and meaningful personal growth.
Voyage LA (2025): Shelby shares her story, the values that guide her work, and why creating supportive spaces for therapists and clients matters so much. If you’ve ever wondered about the *why behind this work, here’s a glimpse.
Bold Journey (2024): Interview exploring Shelby’s evolution as a therapist.
Subkit Collaboration (2022): Feature on Shelby’s entrepreneurial journey in healthcare and the vision behind The OC Shrinks.
Shoutout LA (2021): Interview highlighting Shelby’s therapeutic work and approach.
Tips to Make Mindfulness Fun for Children (2017): Feature in Elephant Journal (1,397,620 reads)
Self-Love + Resolutions (2016): Feature in Elephant Journal (1,261,300 reads)
Her writing reflects a deep commitment to helping individuals better understand themselves, build healthier patterns, and feel more grounded in their lives.