Shelly O'Donnell, MA, LPC, LCDC

About Shelly, your therapist: 

Being a therapist is more than a career for me. I feel very passionate about the work we do together and I take this job very seriously. I am fully Team YOU! I will speak to you exactly how I'd speak to my loved ones. I will be direct, empowering, and encouraging at every step. I will be with you in the hard times and I will praise you in your wins. I will always prioritize your safety in our work, which includes making you feel seen, heard, and understood. It also means I won't get it right every time, but each time I do make a mistake, I will own it and will work to repair this with you. Therapy is a collaborative relationship that requires we trust and respect one another. You will (hopefully) find that I'm welcoming, warm, and tend to use heavy doses of humor to help with your healing. 

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My practice focuses on the individual but acknowledges that all humans are built for connection and we that we need one another. Every person is built of their own experiences and perspectives. Your history is yours alone. We will work to heal wounds from your past in order to prevent reopening these hurts in the future. I specialize in treating trauma and substance abuse but also have extensive experience treating major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and supporting you through life transitions. I work with both adults and teens over the age of 14. 

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I received both my bachelors and masters degrees from Texas State University, the most beautiful campus in Central Texas. I use several treatment modalities in my work, including EMDR, CBT, TFT, Existentialism, and Choice Theory. I integrate parts work (Internal Family Systems) into my practice as well and invite you to learn compassion and love for all of your feelings, tendencies, characteristics, and thoughts. My practice will always be a safe place for every person regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, creed, sexuality, religion, or other. I am LGBTQ+ allied and socially liberal.

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About Shelly, the person: 

When not in the therapy room, I'm a bit of a homebody and a believer in fun. There's nothing I enjoy more than being home, spending quality time with my partner Ryan, our daughter Juniper, and our dog Taco. Throw in a warm cup of tea on a rainy day and I'm in pure bliss. I'll never turn down a chance for a great view, so when I travel, I tend to stick to the scenic routes and avoid cities. Rest is an incredibly important part of recovery and I believe rest is best spent with cup of coffee, a book, and overlooking a coastline. I love the smell of old books, freshly cut grass, and lavender lattes; I love rewatching my comfort movies and shows and going to sporting events. When you recommend good podcasts, movies, books, and tv shows for me and I say "I'll add it to the list," it is added to a literal list that will never be completed. I have overwhelming gratitude for my small and simple life. I promise I will always try to pay forward my blessings, in and out of the therapy room.