Hi I’m SJ! Welcome to Perennial Counseling!

Hey y’all! I’m Shelby Jo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience in the mental health field. I graduated from Butler University with a dual degree in Psychology and Sociology, and went on to earn my Master’s in Social Work from Indiana University. Throughout my journey, one thing has always stayed the same: my deep belief that therapy should feel like a space for you — not one-size-fits-all, not rigid, and never judgmental.

I started Perennial Counseling after several years in private practice, where I led, supervised, and trained other therapists and served as a clinical director. That experience inspired me to create a welcoming, affirming space where therapy grows and shifts with you—where we can explore at your pace, have honest conversations about what’s working (and what’s not), and where you feel safe showing up exactly as you are.

I do my best work with teens and adults navigating life transitions, self-esteem, identity exploration, and neurodivergence. Many of my clients are working to take up more space, live more unapologetically, and develop practical, compassionate tools for managing things like depression, anxiety, and burnout. I also work with individuals who are learning to better understand and support themselves while living with autism and ADHD.

This practice is neurodivergent-friendly, a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community, collaborative, and deeply human. I believe in giving you the freedom to shape your therapy experience, whether that means working slowly and gently, diving deep into the hard stuff, or taking time to build trust and understanding.

There’s no right way to do this work, and we’ll figure out what works best for you together.