

To say "things aren't always easy" is often an understatement. Sometimes things are more than hard, and may have been piling up for a while. Whether you're battling depression, anxiety, grief, or changes in life, I'm here to help. I've worked with children, teens and adults in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, where they work to sort out their struggles. I have seen the damage trauma can do to relationships, but have also seen the power in connecting with others.
Hi there. I’m Shelby White, LCSW, an attachment-focused therapist who sees individuals and couples in-person in Austin, Texas and virtually throughout Texas and Tennessee.
You may be highly self-aware and outwardly successful, yet feel disconnected, unseen, or stuck in old relational patterns. Like many of my clients, you may be experiencing all the confusion that comes with healing from narcissistic abuse or attachment-based trauma and yearn for more than tools to “do better”. My goal is to provide you with a space to be fully known.
I work with successful professionals and creatives seeking deeper connection, emotional freedom, and a life that feels aligned—not just productive.
If you’re ready to break out of old patterns that were developed to keep you safe in the past, you’re in the right spot. Together, we can forge a path toward the version of you that you’ve longed to become.
I offer deep work for people ready to live fully.
I describe myself as a “hope dealer” with a passion for mental health. Over the past six years, I’ve worked with TDCJ, nonprofits, and juvenile justice systems, gaining experience in abuse and neglect, trauma, substance misuse, anger management, recovery support, and women’s and veterans’ issues.
I provide Mental Health Counseling, Substance Misuse Counseling, Anger Management services, Trauma-Informed Care, Drug & Alcohol Screenings, Assessments, Referrals, SASSIs, and DOT Assessments.
Grounded in ethics, creativity, and compassion, my approach feels like a conversation at your kitchen table—supportive, safe, and nonjudgmental. I walk with you step by step as you heal, grow, and reclaim hope.
Therapy with me is not just for troubling issues. It is a safe space to talk, listen, be heard & understood, figure things out, grow, & heal from mental & emotional pain. I earned a Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University & a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Texas Southern. I specialize in working with various mental health issues, including but not limited to, trauma (PTSD), depression, anxiety, codependency & relationship issues.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent nine years as a teacher, where I discovered how powerful compassion, patience, and understanding can be in helping others grow. Later, my work in psychiatric and residential treatment settings gave me the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families during some of their most difficult moments. Those experiences shaped me into the therapist I am today—someone who values safety, trust, and genuine human connection above all else.
Working in treatment centers taught me how to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment. I learned to listen deeply, to hold space for pain, and to help others find calm and strength even when life feels overwhelming. These experiences strengthened my ability to support clients through trauma, depression, anxiety, and self-esteem challenges, and to help them rediscover their resilience and sense of empowerment.
My approach is holistic and person-centered, and I strive to create a warm, nurturing environment where you feel safe to be yourself. Together, we’ll work at your own pace, exploring your story and building tools to help you heal, grow, and move toward a greater sense of peace and balance.
I have been a therapist for over 25 years providing individual, couple, family, and group therapy. I am very passionate about helping others see their individual strengths and unique gifts to help guide them and navigate challenges in life. The most valuable experience I enjoy seeing is the transformation of a person healing and growing to their desired outcome. I believe every person has the ability to achieve their highest potential.


Headway makes it easy to find support for your mental health — from finding the right provider, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.