Shelly Proper, LPC

Shelly Proper is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania with more than 17 years of clinical experience. She has worked across settings including private practice, local agencies, school systems, and higher education, and she is board certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Her background spans a wide range of concerns such as psychiatric conditions, addictions, physical and emotional trauma, grief and end of life issues, menopause and healthy aging, career and life coaching, and related challenges. She also holds a post-master's certificate to teach psychology and has worked intensively with educational planning.

Shelly’s counseling style is warm, empathetic, and interactive. She approaches therapy believing that people are the experts on their own lives and that meaningful progress comes from helping clients identify options, learn skills, and shift perspectives so they can make changes that support healthier, more satisfying lives. She uses a range of evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, while emphasizing clear boundaries within the therapeutic relationship.

Shelly works with adults aged 25 and older and offers support for issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleep problems, depression, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationships and family concerns, grief, parenting, anger, self esteem, career transitions, ADHD, caregiver stress, codependency, first responder issues, hoarding, hospice and end of life counseling, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and women’s issues. She looks forward to supporting clients in pursuing their goals and navigating life changes.

Therapeutic approaches offered online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and learn practical skills to move toward those values despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions because it focuses on meaningful action rather than on trying to eliminate unpleasant internal experiences.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that examines how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. By identifying patterns and practicing new skills, clients can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and other concerns while building practical coping strategies.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client's lead and offers empathy and understanding. This approach can help with self esteem, relationship issues, grief, and adjusting to life changes by creating a space for exploration and personal growth.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shelly works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques as progress unfolds.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy life. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility in scheduling and communication style, allowing clients to choose the format that feels most accessible and practical for their circumstances. Licensed professionals can use these formats to provide consistent, ongoing care across a range of issues.