Position Title
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- Counseling Services
Education
M.A. Psychology, Couples, Family and Children – Antioch University, Seattle
B.A. Sociology – University of California San Diego
Education Abroad – Poitiers, France
About Me
My name is Shelley Balla-Hawkins, I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience in the fields of counseling and community development. What I want you to know is that I love what I do. I am thrilled to return to university life, supporting students in their wellness and life success. Not only am I a University of California alum, but I also studied abroad, was a student parent, and I lived and worked in University Graduate, International, and Family Student Housing. I relate to, value, and respect the student experience.
How I Work with Students
I am inspired by the transformative power of a collaborative therapeutic experience. It is my honor to offer a safe and welcoming space where you can tell your authentic story, a place where you can feel seen, heard, validated, and respected. My approach to therapy is holistic, with a clear emphasis on wellness over pathology. This means I focus on working with you to identify, understand, and enhance your strengths, resiliencies, preferences, and experiences so that you can learn sustainable tools and practices necessary for living a good life and overcoming challenges.
At Student Wellness and Counseling Services we offer brief therapy and maintain an extensive source of referrals to help you get connected to the care you may need and want. I can help you address challenges you may be facing at this time, including stress management, mood regulation, self-esteem/confidence/body image, relationship conflict, organizational skills, and life transitions.
The methodologies I use are integrative, weaving together the wisdom and practices of psychology, modern science, and ancient traditions. This is an exciting time to be in the field of psychology. We now know more about what how to create long-lasting positively transformative and sustainable changes in our wellbeing—we can rewire the brain. My work is strengths-based and is especially influenced by integrative health, positive psychology, neuropsychology, mind-body connection, humanistic psychology, narrative therapy, and creative expression.
Contact Information
Students are advised to use Health-e-Messaging for all communications.