Shelbi Bretz, BS

Therapist/Counselor

Shelbi Bretz (they/them) is completing their internship at Kindred Psychology for their Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-accredited) at Bellevue University. Throughout the program, Shelbi has concentrated on the intersection of theory and practice, learning to apply evidence-based strategies with a collaborative, person-centered focus. Shelbi is supervised by Camie Nitzel, PhD LP. 

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Shelbi worked for six years as a high school English teacher at Lincoln Public Schools. Shelbi taught both at the public high schools and at the Lancaster County Juvenile Detention Center and served as a Slam Poetry team sponsor. While they loved and learned much from the experience, Shelbi quickly realized that they thrive in one-on-one interactions and decided to make a career change. As an educator, Shelbi became aware of the significant need for knowledgeable and compassionate mental health care for LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults, which led them to pursue training opportunities at Kindred.

As a queer-identified therapist, Shelbi believes in creating a safe, collaborative therapeutic environment where every client is seen and appreciated for who they are. Shelbi is passionate about serving the LGBTQ+ community, especially in working with LGBTQ+ youth and their parents/caregivers. Shelbi also values working with individuals with complex trauma, dissociative disorders, substance abuse, and personality disorders.

Shelbi believes every client is the expert on their own story and works to support each individual in their journey toward healing and positive change. Shelbi utilizes a range of evidence-based approaches, including CBT, DBT, and Internal Family Systems, tailoring strategies to meet each client’s unique needs. They bring humor and creativity to the therapeutic space and value the importance of a strong therapeutic relationship in creating change. 

Shelbi accepts clients on pro-bono and sliding fee scale bases as they are not yet in-network with insurance companies. Please contact Courtney for more information.