Meet Shelby Russom, MS
Therapist for Eating Disorders, Body Image & Relationship Challenges
Note: Shelby is currently accepting new clients (18+). please reach out to schedule a consult call.
Maybe you've spent years feeling like you need to change your body, meet everyone else's expectations, or put your own needs last. Or perhaps you're navigating a new stage of life and noticing that old patterns around food, relationships, or self-worth are getting harder to ignore.
Hi, I'm Shelby (she/her). I work with adults navigating eating disorders, body image concerns, relationship challenges, and life transitions. I have extensive experience supporting people with complicated relationships with food and their bodies, and I'm especially passionate about working with people in larger bodies who deserve care that doesn't treat their weight as a problem to solve.
I take a fat-affirming, weight-inclusive approach to therapy and recognize that our relationships with ourselves don't develop in isolation. Family dynamics, cultural expectations, diet culture, and past experiences can all shape how we see ourselves and move through the world. Whether you're working through longstanding patterns or navigating changes in midlife, I'm interested in helping you better understand those connections and find ways forward that feel right for you.
Our work is collaborative, but I'm not someone who will just sit back and nod along. I'll offer feedback, share observations, and help you explore different perspectives while respecting that you're the expert on your own experience. And while we might be talking about difficult things, there's room for humor and genuine connection along the way.
Outside of work, you might find me at a Broadway musical, hanging out with my cats, taking a walk by the water, or exploring new bakeries.
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Eating disorders & body image
Life transitions, including perinatal, perimenopause or menopause
Relationship challenges, particularly family of origin issues
Anxiety
OCD
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Bachelors in Psychology, University of Arkansas
Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Memphis
Working under the supervision of Jana Ross while I pursue independent licensure (anticipated fall 2026)
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I bring warmth, honesty, and humor into the therapy room. I'll meet you with compassion, but I also won't shy away from asking the harder questions or helping you recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck. I believe therapy works best when there's enough trust to have honest conversations, even when they're uncomfortable.
I incorporate Relational-Cultural Theory, Attachment-Focused, Psychodynamic, and Compassion-Focused frameworks. I’m grounded in a trauma-informed and Health at Every Size approach.
You can read more about some of those approaches here.
Get the support that’s right for you.