Shellby Custer, LCSW

Shellby Custer is a licensed clinical social worker with 23 years of experience. She uses practical, evidence-informed methods to help people manage anxiety, depression, and stress. She focuses on real-life problems like sleep trouble, relationship strain, parenting stress, and coping with big changes.

Her approach centers on clear, doable steps. She draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. Attachment-based ideas guide work on relationship patterns and feelings of abandonment or loneliness.

Shellby also uses mindfulness and narrative techniques to help people slow down and make sense of painful events. Motivational interviewing is part of her toolbox when someone wants help changing habits or addressing addictions. Sessions are aimed at building everyday skills, not labels or tests.

She has worked with a wide range of concerns, including trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, bipolar mood concerns, and compassion fatigue. She also supports people facing chronic illness or pain, career stress, and questions about life purpose.

Shellby practices in Pennsylvania as an LCSW. She keeps sessions focused and practical, helping people leave with a plan they can try between meetings. Her style tends to be direct, empathetic, and goal-oriented.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Shellby commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes. CBT sessions often include straightforward exercises and homework that fit well into video or text formats. Attachment-based therapy is used to look at patterns in close relationships and feelings of abandonment or loneliness, helping people try new ways of relating and expressing needs.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will listen to a person's goals and preferences, then recommend one or a combination of methods. This is a collaborative process and the plan can be adjusted as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into busy lives. Video calls allow for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text-based messaging can be useful for shorter check-ins, ongoing support, or when a quick reflection fits into a break at work. These options give flexibility while keeping the focus on practical strategies and steady progress.