Shelly Proper , LPC

Shelly Proper is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania and is board certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors, the national certifying organization for counselors. The LPC credential indicates state licensure to provide professional counseling services, and Shelly also holds a post-master's certificate to teach psychology, reflecting additional training in education and educational planning.

Shelly has worked across private practice, community agencies, school systems, and higher education, bringing more than 17 years of clinical experience with diverse populations. Her work has addressed psychiatric conditions, addictions, physical and emotional trauma, grief and end-of-life issues, menopause and healthy aging, as well as career and life coaching. She has also spent many years contributing beyond direct clinical roles, including intensive work in educational planning.

Her counseling style is warm, empathetic, and interactive. Shelly approaches therapy with the belief that people are the experts of their own lives, and she focuses on helping clients identify options, build skills, and shift perspectives so they can pursue healthier, more satisfying lives. She integrates evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy, while emphasizing appropriate boundaries within the therapeutic relationship.

Shelly works with adults aged 25 and older and draws on her broad background to tailor support to each person’s goals and circumstances.

Evidence-based approaches and online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and develop practical, values-driven steps for living. It focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that reflect personal priorities, which can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a skills-based approach that identifies and reshapes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and coping with everyday challenges by teaching concrete tools for change.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist supports each person’s capacity for self-directed growth. This approach can be especially helpful when exploring identity, relationships, or major life decisions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shelly works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options can make it easier to fit care into a busy schedule, access support from home, and maintain continuity of care when life circumstances change. Licensed professionals can adapt these formats to deliver the same therapeutic methods used in person, helping clients move toward their goals in a convenient, accessible way.