Hi, I’m Shelly! I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping clients build confidence, manage emotions, and reach their full potential. For over 20 years, I’ve supported individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, and life transitions—helping them find healthier ways to cope and connect.
After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, I moved to Chicago and attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where I earned my master’s degree in 1999 and my doctorate in 2004. From the beginning, my work has focused on understanding the emotional world of the clients that I work with and helping strengthen communication and resilience.
I believe every one of us has the inner strength to grow and thrive. My approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in compassion and evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I work closely with you to uncover what’s behind the emotional or behavioral struggles and to develop tools that foster understanding, balance, and confidence.
My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood—and where you feel guided and empowered. Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey toward healing and growth.
Additional areas of focus: Attachment issues, Body image, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
IL Psychologist 071007174
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shelly Scamardo. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Shelly is an amazing listener who really takes what you have to say about how you are feeling into consideration in a way that gives you a sense of security while allowing you to guide the sessions yet at the same time offering clarity and subtle direction when needed. Shelly is a very adaptive and gifted therapist. You will leave each appointment with the sense that you are getting somewhere and making progress. Thank you
Written on Dec 17, 2025 after therapy with Shelly for 1 month on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger management, and coping with life changes