Shelly Elia-Shalev, AMFT (she/her)
BIO:
I’m Shelly, she/her, a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (CA#138057) working at Spaces Therapy under the supervision of Kelli Penner and Ludine Pierre.
My clinical approach is relational, insight-driven, and behaviorally-minded. I'm an analytical therapist who will work with you to understand early experiences that lead to patterns of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. I integrate these approaches while tailoring treatment to meet you where you are in your healing journey. At Spaces Therapy, my work is informed by my background in history, philosophy, and social activism, leading me to understand the profound connection between mental health and systemic oppression. I believe healing requires attending to both internal and social circumstances behind any challenges. My training in equine therapy has also deepened my awareness of natural attunement, helping clients rebuild trust in themselves and others.
Guiding Principles:
In my clinical work, I guide my clients toward a deeper awareness of their present-moment experience — helping them rebuild trust in themselves and others. My training with equine therapy taught me about the natural attunement of horses and how their sensitivity to the environment teaches us to slow down, and become more mindful of our internal world. My goal is to help you reconnect with your inner wisdom and uncover your resilience, even in the midst of hardship.
My background with history, philosophy, and experience with social activism and community organizing inform my work. I have seen the impact of systemic injustices in myself and others and, through my own experience with therapy, I have learned to centralize the relationship between mental health and systemic oppression. This has led me to learning how clinical work can shift the experiences and opportunities of individuals’ and groups’. I believe that healing requires attending to the interrelation of both internal and social circumstances behind any rapture that has unfolded.
I take an integrative approach to therapy, drawing from psychodynamic and relational frameworks to explore how early experiences and relationships shape your inner world. At the same time, I incorporate behavioral strategies, somatic interventions, and DBT techniques to support regulation and healing in the here and now. My goal is to help you understand how trauma and chronic stress impact your nervous system — and to offer tools that support both insight and embodied change.
My Style of Therapy:
Analytical
I help clients see the crucial connections between their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and life experiences. This often leads to insight and clarity, which is the vital first step toward growth and change, especially when addressing issues like anxiety therapy or anxiety in relationships. I help individuals understand how different elements of their lives are intertwined and how they can approach challenges in new, healthier ways.
Welcoming & Collaborative
I am transparent about the structure of therapy and the interventions I use. I believe clients should be fully informed about their treatment and included in decisions concerning their mental health whenever possible, fostering a truly collaborative environment for relationship therapy or any other area of focus.
Thoughtful
I understand that each individual arrives at different stages in their healing process, and their support needs vary. In our assessment, we'll explore where you are and what’s possible to achieve for your future.
Supportive
I help my clients translate insight into tangible changes in behaviors and patterns that might be holding them back from achieving their life goals.
I’m Particularly Good at Working With:
Individuals experiencing intense emotions, chronic overwhelm, and the lingering effects of recurrent traumatic experiences.
Those navigating experiences of marginalization, racial trauma, and systemic inequities.
Families and children grappling with anxiety, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence.
Couples who find themselves stuck in painful, repeating cycles, such as communication breakdowns, trust issues, or emotional disconnection, offering dedicated Couples Therapy.
I Hold Space For:
Stress, Complex Trauma, Identity-Based Pain, Emotional Intensity, and Neurodivergence
As well as: Parenting and Kids, Anxiety in Relationships, Avoidance in Relationships, Behavioral Issues, Addiction, Self harm, Safety Planning, Body Image, Pregnancy and postpartum, Racial Trauma, Sexual Trauma, Cultural Identity, Multi Cultural Couples, Communication Issues, Depression, Existentialism, Family Struggles, Grief, Life Direction, Living Authentically, Nonbinary Issues, Peer Relationships, Relationship Issues, Self-Image, Sex Positive, Sexual Issues, Stress, Teens, Teens Issues, Vulnerability Issues, Women’s Issues.
Services I Offer:
Individual Therapy
Couples Therapy
Family Therapy
Therapy Groups (Coping with Anxiety: A DBT Skills Group)
CREDENTIALS:
B.A in History and Multidisciplinary Studies
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Location:
In office: Highland Park, Los Angeles
Virtually: California Residents
If you’re not sure what therapist you would like to work with, book a call with our care coordinator here. If you would like to work with Shelly, you can schedule a consultation call or session with her at the button below.