I love being a therapist. I get to spend all day witnessing people heal and I feel honored to be a part of that process with each client that I work with.
I feel strongly that therapy should not just be a place to vent every week and leave feeling exactly the same. Talking is important, but you can talk and vent to friends, family members or coworkers. During our time together, I am not just listening, I’m also paying attention to patterns, helping you make connections, teaching skills, and using my clinical knowledge to support you in making meaningful shifts.
A lot of how I work is shaped by my love of play, creativity, and storytelling. I enjoy exploring the different parts of each client, the roles we take on, and the narratives we carry. While some sessions may feel more weighty, many of our sessions are likely to include fun and play as well. Therapy is work, but it doesn't always have to feel hard or painful.
I’ve spent most of my career working in schools and community settings, which means I’m used to working with real-life complexity and I understand that life goes far beyond just what shows up in a 60-minute session. I work with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. I am always open to talks about identity, race, culture, and all of the things that impact how we exist in the world.
My style is warm, direct, and engaged. I will sit with you in hard moments, laugh with you in funny ones, but I’m also going to use my knowledge and skills to support you in making the progress you want to see towards healing. You don’t need to come in with the right words or a clear plan. We’ll figure that out together.
Hi, I’m Shelby Hettenbach.
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My work is trauma-informed, client-centered, and relational. I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities to create a space that feels engaging, flexible, and responsive to each person. Whether working with children, teens, or adults, therapy is paced collaboratively and grounded in helping you feel understood while building meaningful change.
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EMDR is a structured, evidence-based approach that helps process experiences that feel stuck. It uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements or tapping) while focusing on specific memories, allowing the brain to integrate them in a way that reduces their intensity. I have completed basic training in EMDR therapy and incorporate it when it is a good fit.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a way of understanding the different "parts" of ourselves—especially those that carry stress, pain, or protective roles. This approach helps build awareness, compassion, and internal balance rather than trying to push parts away. I am Level 1 trained in IFS and use this framework to support deeper, more sustainable change.
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Expressive arts can help access thoughts and feelings that are harder to put into words. This may include drawing, storytelling, or other creative approaches that support self-expression, insight, and emotional processing in a way that feels more natural and less pressured.
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With children, play is often the primary way they communicate. Play therapy allows kids to explore emotions, experiences, and relationships in a developmentally appropriate way while building regulation, confidence, and a stronger sense of safety.
I also draw on play-based and creative approaches with teens and adults when it’s helpful. Using elements of play, metaphor, and imagination can help to access emotions, shift patterns, and build safety in the therapy space.
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I utilize Polyvagal Theory as a lens to support nervous system regulation. This includes helping clients recognize stress responses, build awareness of their body’s signals, and develop tools to feel more grounded, safe, and connected in everyday life.
My Approach
Credentials, Trainings, and Certifications
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Washington, DC
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 Training
EMDR Basic Training