Shelley McLendon

Seeking the help of a counselor takes courage. Sometimes people can identify specific issues they need help with, while others just know they do not feel good, and they haven't felt good for a while. Whatever your reason for seeking support- I’m here to help.

I see counseling as a partnership between the client and the counselor, and my approach is conversational, warm and judgement- free.  My goal is to collaborate with my clients to identify what they want, what may help them get what they want, and what obstacles are getting in the way.  We both work together to uncover patterns of thinking and behavior and then evaluate whether the client wants to keep or to change these patterns.  I also know that everyone I work with is an individual, and I make it a priority to keep my clients’ unique goals, life circumstances, experiences and strengths in mind. 

CREDENTIALS & APPROACH
I hold a Masters Degree in Counseling and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with the state of Oregon.  I have over 20 years of experience in working with individuals and groups in alcohol/drug recovery, in college counseling centers, in private practice and in community mental health agencies. I have also facilitated courses in counseling and psychology as an adjunct university instructor.

I utilize many different modalities in counseling, but my primary approaches are :

• Positive Psychology, which focuses on using your strengths and resources as building blocks for change

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which addresses potential thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are not working for you and then identifies solutions for changing them

• Psychodynamic Therapy, which can help to uncover patterns that could be negatively impacting current behaviors and emotions