Kelly Shaheen, LCSW
Clinical Director
Kelly has been working in residential treatment for over twenty-five years. She began working with youth in the Juvenile Justice Services secure care facilities as a staff. She realized the majority of the youth had a history of trauma which motivated her to go to graduate school to better understand and treat the youth. During the fifteen years with JJS, Kelly earned a Masters of Social Work and began specializing in assessing and treating youth who engaged in sexual misconduct. Kelly then accepted a position working with the District Attorney Special Victims Unit supporting children and victims of domestic violence through the court process. Although Kelly found the position to be incredibly challenging and worthwhile, she missed doing therapy with youth. Kelly then accepted a position with Youth Care. Due to her experience with aggressive youth in JJS, youth with a history of aggression were often assigned to Kelly’s caseload. Kelly spent nine years at Youth Care as a primary therapist working with clients who had a history of sexual, physical and attachment trauma. She was also trained in DBT to better understand and treat clients presenting with borderline personality traits, depression and anxiety. Kelly then left Youth Care to pursue other interests in working with boys who struggle with neurological developmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder). After four years working with youth on the autism spectrum, she returned to Youth Care as she missed working with girls and the Youth Care team.
Balance in life is very important to Kelly. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, biking and “anything outdoors.” Kelly also enjoys a good cup of coffee and finding the humor in life. Kelly believes that reframing challenges in life to gain gratitude and appreciation for her relationships with others and opportunities for growth continues to provide a framework for balance.
