WELCOME!
I’m Shelby Sipe, a Licensed Professional Counselor serving clients in Alabama. I’m glad you’re here.
COUNSELING STYLE
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and me. We’ll look honestly at what isn’t working, make sense of how you got here, and work toward meaningful, sustainable change. My goal isn’t just to help you cope—it’s to help you thrive and live in a way that actually feels aligned with your values.
I believe you deserve to feel heard, respected, and accepted for who you are—no matter what you’ve been through or what coping strategies you had to develop to survive. While I bring clinical expertise to the room, you are the expert on your life.
My counseling style is authentic, direct, and unpolished in the best way. I believe genuine, human-to-human connection is essential for effective therapy. Therapy works best when you don’t have to perform or filter yourself, so I strive to create a warm, non-judgmental, and grounded space where you can be your true self. Together, we’ll work on healing past wounds and cultivating new skills for a more productive and peaceful life. We’ll do deep work when it’s time—and we’ll laugh when it’s appropriate.
THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
My approach to therapy is holistic and trauma-informed, honoring the interconnection of mental, physical, spiritual, and relational health. Therapy isn’t a quick fix—it’s a meaningful journey of understanding, healing, building healthy practices, and learning how to live with greater intention and freedom.
In our work together, we’ll explore how your experiences have shaped your brain and nervous system. Many symptoms—anxiety, emotional overwhelm, shutdown, reactivity—aren’t signs that something is “wrong” with you. They’re signs of a nervous system that learned how to survive. Understanding your neurobiology and using interventions that support the development of new neural pathways is a crucial part of treatment.
I draw from a range of evidence-based practices to empower you to take control of your life and move toward emotional freedom. I am certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a powerful, research-supported approach used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship wounds, insecure attachment patterns, and other challenges rooted in earlier life experiences.
Additionally, I integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, and polyvagal-informed care to help demystify your stress responses and deepen self-understanding with compassion. This work supports the development of effective coping and self-regulation skills, allowing you to move beyond constant symptom management and toward lasting change.
MORE ABOUT ME
Before I was a counselor, I was a cowgirl. I love horses and western culture. I grew up riding horses, competing in rodeo, and later competed collegiately for Troy University’s Women’s Rodeo Team. These days, I enjoy training young horses and hope to return to rodeoing someday.
I’m also a mom to identical twin toddlers who love life on the farm. We spend a lot of time watching baby farm animals grow, getting muddy, and soaking up the outdoors. I believe nature is deeply healing, and being a steward of the land grounds me in a special way.
I identify as female and use she/her pronouns. I welcome and affirm people of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. I work hard to stay informed, and I’m human—I may not always get it perfect, but I’m committed to listening, learning, and showing up with respect.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), including Attachment-Focused EMDR
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Somatic Therapy & Nervous System-Informed Care
- Polyvagal Theory Applications
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Neurofeedback-Informed Interventions
- Trauma & Domestic Violence Counseling
- Narcissistic Abuse Recovery
- Substance Use & Recovery Support
- Safe Zone–Trained LGBTQIA+ Ally
- Thinking for a Change (Cognitive Restructuring Program)
EDUCATION
I hold a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Troy University. My academic training emphasized clinical excellence, ethical practice, and trauma-informed care.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I am the founder and owner of Shelby Sipe Professional Counseling, LLC in Auburn, Alabama, where I provide trauma-informed individual therapy using evidence-based approaches. My work focuses on helping clients understand their nervous systems, heal from trauma, and build lives that feel more regulated, connected, and authentic.
Prior to opening my private practice, I worked with The Veal Group, LLC in LaGrange, Georgia, where I served as both a Mental Health Counselor and Associate Director. In this role, I provided therapy for individuals impacted by trauma, substance use, domestic violence, and court involvement, while also supporting clinical oversight and practice operations.
My clinical experience also includes working with Troup County Felony Adult Drug Court, Troup County Juvenile Court, and Grace Harbour, Inc. Behavioral Health, where I facilitated and co-facilitated evidence-based group programming, including Thinking for a Change, and provided trauma-informed substance use and relapse prevention treatment.
Earlier in my training, I completed internships with Counseling Services, Inc., and Office of Professional and Career Development at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, where I provided counseling services, supported group interventions, and worked closely with students navigating stress, transitions, and life planning.
These experiences shaped both my clinical foundation and my belief that effective therapy must be compassionate, honest, and grounded in real-world application.
OFFICE PHOTO GALLERY (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)
