Shellby Custer

Experienced LCSW blending CBT and compassion

LCSW Pennsylvania

Experience: 23 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Shellby

Shellby Custer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 23 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-informed care. She centers her work on cognitive behavioral principles while integrating attachment and mindfulness perspectives to help people address anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress.

Background and approach

Her practice emphasizes practical skills for coping with life changes and rebuilding self-worth after painful experiences. Shellby offers support for a broad range of concerns including mood disorders, grief, addiction-related difficulties, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and challenges tied to chronic illness or pain.

She also addresses themes such as abandonment, attachment wounds, family of origin dynamics, guilt and shame, and recovery from sexual assault and abuse. Her sessions blend goal-focused methods with narrative exploration to help clients make meaning of past events and develop healthier patterns.

Based in Pennsylvania, Shellby draws on nearly a quarter century of clinical practice to tailor interventions that match each person’s needs. She emphasizes collaboration, helping clients strengthen coping strategies, increase self-compassion, and clarify life purpose while working toward measurable change.

Integrating Cognitive Behavioral and Attachment-Informed Online Care

Shellby often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and to introduce practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. This approach focuses on concrete strategies such as behavioral experiments, cognitive restructuring, and problem-solving to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relational patterns shape current connections and emotional responses. This work can help people understand interpersonal dynamics, heal attachment wounds, and develop more supported ways of relating. Mindfulness Therapy complements these methods by teaching present-moment attention and self-compassion techniques that reduce reactivity and promote emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works together with each person to consider symptoms, goals, and personal preferences, and she may blend elements from different approaches as needs evolve. This collaborative stance helps ensure treatment feels relevant and useful from the start.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care from Pennsylvania without needing to travel, and they support ongoing work between sessions through messaging and check-ins.

Frequently asked questions

What types of concerns does this therapist address?

Common areas of focus include anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, stress, grief, relationship and intimacy-related issues, addiction-related concerns, and coping with life changes. Additional topics addressed include mood and personality disorders, chronic pain or illness, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.

What is the therapist's general approach or style in sessions?

The practice emphasizes cognitive behavioral techniques alongside attachment-based and mindfulness-informed perspectives, combined with narrative elements to explore personal stories and patterns. Sessions are collaborative and balance skill-building with reflective work.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

The therapist brings 23 years of professional experience working with a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns. That experience informs a pragmatic yet empathetic approach to care.

What credentials and location should I know about?

The therapist is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the credential PA LCSW CW018289 and practices in Pennsylvania.

Does the therapist offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?

Services are provided in English only, and the therapist is not accepting international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available for online work?

Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and scheduling. The therapist offers several remote formats to fit different needs.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability and services are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on those factors.

What are the first steps to begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability. That process helps match needs and preferences before the first session.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityEmptinessFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

23+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania

Languages

English