Shelly "Sheldon" Lewin, LICSW, LCSW

Shelly "Sheldon" Lewin is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 30 years of experience. He works with people facing relationship strain, trauma, depression, addiction, grief, and major life changes. He aims to create a calm, respectful space where people can talk about what’s hard and begin to feel more confident and clear about next steps.

He spent much of his career in executive roles at major hospitals and health systems. That background shaped his practical, organized approach to therapy. He uses a mix of methods to match each person’s needs rather than a single fixed style.

In early sessions he asks about current concerns, goals, and history, then helps set clear, realistic steps to make progress. He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic ideas, and solution-focused techniques to address unhelpful thoughts, past patterns, and immediate problems. Motivational interviewing is used when people are working on behavior change.

Shelly grew up in Chicago and learned resilience from his family stories. He holds a Master of Social Work from Loyola University and an MBA from North Park University. He is licensed in New Mexico and West Virginia as well as other states; the listing shows WV LICSW and NM LCSW.

Outside therapy he enjoys travel, hiking, reading, and art. He lives in New Mexico with his wife and their small dog. His guiding values are positivity, persistence, and helping people build strength and self-compassion.

Approaches that guide online work and outcomes

Many of Shelly’s sessions draw on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms like low mood or anxiety. CBT offers clear exercises and steps you can try between meetings to see gradual change.

He also uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas to help people better understand and express feelings that affect close relationships. This approach looks at interaction patterns and aims to build stronger emotional connections and clearer communication.

Motivational Interviewing is another tool he uses when someone is working on behavior change. It involves reflecting on a person’s own reasons for change and building motivation in a nonjudgmental way.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped in the past, then recommend methods that fit. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made as progress unfolds.

If you plan to try online therapy, confirm the available session formats before booking. The main practical benefits are easier fitting of sessions into a busy life, simpler scheduling across locations, and shorter check-ins when needed. Discuss with the therapist how online work can best fit your routine and goals.