Kirk Shelton (He/Him/His)

I've worked with children, adolescents, and adults with trauma histories, and I use evidence-based practices of EMDR and TF-CBT to address these in ways that reduce sensitivity to present triggers and integrate the trauma into a coherent narrative in order to prepare for future success.

Anxiety often arises when the mind amplifies uncertainty or threat. I help clients confront these patterns directly, recognize the body’s and mind’s signals, and develop practical strategies to respond with clarity and self

I am an EMDR certified therapist through EMDRIA. EMDR is an evidence-based practice to alleviate trauma symptoms. Through EMDR, I have seen many clients resolve longstanding difficulties, remove trauma triggers, and put their life story into a more useful and adaptive frame. Above all, I love that this approach remains client-lead, as it is very much not me dictating how a client ought to interpret her experience. Even if I do provide some of the furniture, as it were.

If I can come to understand, however imperfectly, the pain and anxiety of my client and communicate this from a place of security, I believe she can access her inner strengths and resolve tensions. I have a nondirective style and, while I do not stick to it all the time, hope that I stay out of the way of where my client will take us as we explore her world and experience.

Low self-esteem often develops from repeated messages, both internal and external, that you aren’t enough. I help clients recognize and challenge these messages, identify their strengths, and build a more grounded sense of self-worth. The work focuses on practical ways to act in alignment with values while developing a more compassionate, authentic relationship with yourself.

CBT focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I help clients identify unhelpful patterns, test assumptions, and practice new ways of thinking and acting. The goal is to create changes that are practical, sustainable, and directly observable in daily life, improving coping and overall functioning.

I work with clients to strengthen self-esteem by addressing negative self-beliefs and fostering a more compassionate, realistic view of oneself. Using evidence-based strategies drawn from CBT, ACT, and person-centered approaches, I help clients recognize their strengths, challenge self-critical patterns, and build confidence in their abilities and relationships, supporting long-term resilience and personal growth.