Shelby Upton, LPC

Life can feel exhausting when you’re trying to meet expectations that don’t fit how you think, feel, or experience the world. You may be navigating a transition, feeling overwhelmed by motherhood, or trying to understand how past experiences affect your relationships today. Therapy offers space to make sense of what you’re experiencing and find ways forward that work for you.

My approach is direct, down-to-earth, and encouraging. You can expect honest conversations, room to be yourself, and practical tools to use between sessions. Often, we’ll begin with ways to manage emotional and sensory overwhelm so you feel more grounded as we explore harder experiences. My hope is that you leave therapy with a deeper understanding of yourself, greater confidence in handling challenges, and skills that support healthier communication and relationships.

I especially enjoy supporting neurodivergent adults who live independently with minimal community support, and helping parents in neurodivergent families including those working with teachers and navigating school supports such as IEPs and ARD meetings. I also work with women who are trying to conceive, navigating pregnancy or postpartum changes, or adjusting to motherhood, as well as those dealing with the challenges of being a first-generation American.

I’ve been counseling since 2017, with experience in birth centers, pediatric therapy clinics, and group counseling practices. My own experiences with motherhood, life in a neurodivergent family, and church hurt have shaped the care I bring to this work. I understand that opening up takes trust, and I value the opportunity to earn yours. For clients who want faith included in counseling, I offer a biblically based Christian perspective upon request. I also welcome those processing church hurt or difficult experiences within their faith communities, with space for honest questions and emotions.

Outside the counseling room, you’ll usually find me spending time with my husband and our two boys, helping care for my grandmother, serving alongside my husband in our church’s prayer and care ministry, or working on a craft project.