Shelly Atkinson

The definition of GRACE is unmerited FAVOR. This translates into: "we can possess (the good) things in life we may not necessarily deserve." Hello...I am a Licensed Professional Counselor committed helping individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage life's more challenging situations. I always tell the story of starting out in the field of corrections and realizing that folks who found themselves entangled in the legal system were not bad people...just people that didn't have the tools to navigate life. This not only intrigued me but made me feel helpless. I felt compelled to go on a quest to find answers to help individuals empower themselves and discover the inner strengths they already possessed that would equip them to deal with life on life's terms. Initially, this quest led me to the field of addictions. I then realized that life's difficulties reached ALL, not just people struggling with addictions. Today, my work focuses on targeting unhealthy/high risk behaviors, habits, beliefs and thought processes for ANYONE. Once identified, an exploration of healthy skills and useful resources is necessary to learn and apply to the individual's life in order to overcome and be victorious. I tell people all the time "There's VICTORY in adversity" and "All pain is purposeful." It is with this understanding and expectation that growth will be uncomfortable, but it is on the other side of those uncomfortable seasons in our lives that we find our strength. I still don't have the answers, but YOU DO! I believe in taking a collaborative approach to help clients reach their goals. So many are in search of healing. It is my belief that each individual has the innate ability to foster their own healing process. Sometimes a little guidance is helpful, a listening ear, a coach, some encouragement or validation perhaps? Everybody needs somebody...GET YOUR LIFE BACK TODAY!!! If you are interested in scheduling a consultation with me, please send an appointment request.