Barbara N
I took up multiple therapy sessions with Shelby and left feeling disrespected and emotionally invalidated. Yesterday, I came in sharing my emotional growth wins—growth that I told her I’ve wanted since our first session—yet she seemed almost annoyed by it. Her facial expression completely dropped and her responses lacked empathy and support. Looking back, I see that I was more emotionally considerate of her than she ever was of me. She made dismissive comments that crossed clear boundaries, and at times I felt more like I was being challenged or antagonized than supported. Instead of feeling heard, I often felt like I had to defend myself in a space that was supposed to be safe. Shelby did not create an environment of warmth or advocacy—only judgment. I wanted her to be my therapist because she presented herself to be a strong minded individual, but I never imagined she would end up using her strong personality to try to put me down. If this is how she responds to a client with emotionally steadiness, I worry deeply for anyone who comes to her with emotional fragility. I spent so much money on someone who embodied exactly the kind of energy I came to therapy to heal from. Just because I stayed respectful in times where my emotions were dismissed, it shouldn’t have made her feel entitled to treat a client with contempt and disrespect. I didn’t deserve this. I do not recommend Shelby to anyone seeking support or empowerment.