Find a Therapist in Fulton, MD

I bring evidence-based knowledge to my therapy coupled with personal experience. I believe you will feel comfortable and not judged at all when working with me.

My communication style is direct along with a helpful challenging hand to help move you toward the healthy change and restoring the life balance you seek.

Maybe you're a new parent wondering why this doesn't feel the way you expected. Maybe anxiety has been running the show for so long you've forgotten what calm feels like. Or maybe you're in the middle of a life transition — a move, a career shift, a relationship change — and you just need someone in your corner. I'm Shelby, and I get it. I specialize in working with women, couples, and individuals who are navigating the messy, overwhelming parts of life — especially the transition to parenthood, relationship struggles, and those seasons when everything feels uncertain. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in your strengths. I'm not here to fix you — you're not broken. I'm here to help you reconnect with yourself, build skills that actually work, and find your footing again. We'll use mindfulness, practical tools, and honest conversation to help you move from surviving to thriving. I offer telehealth sessions across DC, MD, VA, NY, and FL. If you're ready to feel like yourself again, I'd love to hear from you.

I am an empathetic and experienced therapist with a passion for empowering my patients through an individualized approach to wellness. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina Central University and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland. Since graduating with my master’s in 2018, I have worked with adolescents and adults from many cultural backgrounds who have experienced homelessness, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other life stressors. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and I also draw from a range of other approaches because I believe therapy is most effective when it’s personalized for each person.

Accepting new clients- Life is hard. Most of us want to think that it gets easier but that only occurs when our skills (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual) improve. Therapy is the perfect place to learn and practice new skills while getting the encouragement to make it through life's toughest moments. And I am ready for you. I work with all clients and specialize in the BlackBrown communities, LGBTQ population, couples, and adolescents. I value intersectionality, solutions-focused work, and holistic practices. I specialize in following therapies: cognitive-behavioral, play, solutions-focused & strengths based. I value & support parent educationcounseling especially as parents navigate through the school system while raising a child with mental health concerns. I strongly value a holistic & organic approach to mental health progress. As a Counselor in an urban setting, I understand the time and transportation constraints that many clients may face. Therefore, I am able to provide on-site services (in-home andor confidential setting) or in my office.

My approach to therapy is largely cognitivebehavioral, with a strong emphasis on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques, specifically learning to be mindful- noticing and accept your thoughts, feelings and physical sensations- while committing to behavior that is consistent with your own values. My experiences both in and out of the work setting are fairly broad so I feel I can address most issues clients present with. My style is engaging and supportive. I view our relationship as a partnership. I will spend the majority of our first sessions together listening to get to know you better. I believe that everything in our lives is interrelated, so at times I may let our focus move to whatever is particularly troubling to you that day. At other times, I may focus you back on the current problem we are trying to solve. I am married with two children and have had two career changes. I have experienced a wide variety of life stressors and have sought help when needed. I believe that these experiences have provided me with empathy, perspective and coping skills that I can use to help you.

A strong approach to helping people with mental health challenges is patient-centered, collaborative, and holistic. The core idea is to treat the whole person, build trust, and match care to the person’s needs, goals, and preferences, rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan. Core principles Start with respect, empathy, and nonjudgmental listening. People with mental health conditions often do better when they feel heard and not stigmatized. Use a whole-person view that considers emotional, physical, social, and environmental factors, not just symptoms. Explain that there are multiple treatment options, and that a first-line approach may need adjustment over time. Involve the person in shared decision-making so the care plan reflects their values, goals, and comfort level. Practical care approach Assess symptoms, safety, functioning, and supports. Build rapport and ask open-ended questions. Provide education about the condition and treatment options. Collaborate on a realistic care plan. Encourage coping skills, self-management, and follow-up. Reassess regularly and adjust treatment when needed. Helpful support strategies Offer emotional support and practical help. Encourage healthy routines, coping skills, and treatment adherence. Normalize that recovery can take time, and that progress may be uneven. Connect people to community-based services, therapy, peer support, and other resources when appropriate.

At Starobin Counseling we focus on helping people repair and strengthen their relationships with themselves and their relationships with others. We regard relationships as central to the therapeutic process. Some challenges in life are purely personal, but most problems express themselves in the intersections people have with other people. Therapy helps people repair their inner selves, often injured by relational ruptures, and learn and practice being in relational health with one another. Therapy helps people hear themselves think, experience feelings, gain new perspectives. We help people recognize and strengthen their own vitality and resiliency so they can unlock their capacity for compassionate and meaningful connections. We are a neurodiversity-minded, neurodiversity-affirming, gender-affirming, and culturally aware and sensitive practice.

Our world continues to change, with its weight sometimes growing overwhelming and crushing. You are not alone. Together we’ll explore your feelings & thoughts while comprehending patterns in your history and life experience that have shaped you up to this moment. We’ll find a new space that feels more authentic, free, and connected through this work. We’ll manage and reduce your feelings of anxiety, depression, and other distressing thoughts. It is never too late to take control and redefine yourself in a controlled, safe, and open place. Whether this is your first time or you've decided to return to therapy, this is a strong data-backed investment into yourself and your future. You’ve already taken the first step by searching for a therapist. While reaching out to me can be difficult and anxiety-provoking, it can also empower, potentially defining the next chapter of your life. After advanced psychoanalysis training in NYC, I moved to Washington, DC, where I've lived and worked for over eight years with a broad and diverse variety of patients just like you. Together we'll create a space in which you’re fully heard and seen, where we start the process of uncovering exactly how you show up in your life. Thank you for taking the time.

Feeling overwhelmed by life? Stress feels unmanageable, relationships are strained, and moving forward seems impossible. The constant weight of overwhelm can leave you physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. You long to make peace with a painful past but feel stuck. Unmanaged stress affects every aspect of your life—work, health, and relationships. You recognize the need for change, and starting therapy is a courageous, proactive step toward well-being. I'm here to provide a compassionate, validating space where your thoughts and feelings are heard. Together, we'll work toward healing and a more balanced, fulfilling life. I help individuals and couples navigate emotional regulation, stress, and relationship challenges through evidence-based methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and somatic therapy. Specializing in mood conditions, trauma, and attachment, I focus on fostering resilience and balance. Using biofeedback, I strengthen the mind-body connection to support lasting healing. Life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you’re seeking emotional balance, healing from past wounds, or strengthening your relationships, I’m here to support you. Together, we’ll create a compassionate, non-judgmental space to explore your goals and build the life you deserve. Reach out—I’m ready to help.

I believe that our most important periods of growth come out of our most painful moments and circumstances. I have chosen this profession because I believe in the power of working though pain to a better end. I consider it a privilege and an honor to participate in your journey to wellness. I work to create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore, in-depth, the reasons for unwanted emotions or circumstances, allowing you to overcome your challenges and to be able to better cope. I am truly a generalist, trained to help with a wide range of concerns. However, I do have a few particular specialties. I specialize in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and disordered eating. I also specialize in couples therapy and in the treatment of children and adolescents. I am a certified Gottman couples therapist, and I use Play Therapy techniques when treating children. I am also trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Family Systems, Psychodynamic Treatment, and Trauma-Focused CBT. Please reach out to see if I might be the right therapist for you or your loved one.

I believe every individual has their own strength and weaknesses. It is my hope to provide a safe and secure environment in which people can explore their emotions and reach their personal goals to find happiness. In my experience having safe and secure connection with the therapist allows individuals to truly work on their inner feelings and achieve progress.