Meet Shelley Barber, PhD, NCSP
It’s so nice to e-meet you! My name is Dr. Shelley Barber, though most of my clients call me Shelley. I am a licensed psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist in Washington state, specializing in assessing and supporting neurodevelopmental disorders. Whether conducting an autism evaluation for a family in Olympia or helping caregivers in Seattle gain tools to help manage challenging behaviors, I take pride and joy in serving the Puget Sound area.
I am originally from a small town in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, but I lived in various parts of the States, Japan, and New Zealand before settling in the Pacific Northwest. My travels have helped inform my global perspectives, and it’s important to me to support families from a wide range of backgrounds.
Educational and Professional Background
I received my PhD from the APA-accredited School Psychology program at the University of Washington. During that time, I received extensive training at the Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Autism Center and its Gender Clinic. My dissertation focused on helping give autistic, trans teens a voice in research by conducting a qualitative study focusing on what helps and harms their feelings of safety in schools. I completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship in the Lewisville Independent School District in Texas where I received further training in autism assessment. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Child and Teen Solutions, a private practice in Seattle, where I stayed for three years as a licensed psychologist. With years of assessment and therapy experience, I founded my own practice, Barber Psychology Services, in October 2024.
Approach to Therapy
I believe in creating a warm, welcoming environment where children, teens, and families feel comfortable exploring their challenges. My approach combines evidence-based practices with a personalized touch, ensuring each client receives the support they need to thrive. I like to think about therapy like cooking. Evidence-based practices are the key ingredients, but some people need or want a bit more of certain ingredients. When I work with families, I work collaboratively to help families get what they need with humor, grace, knowledge, and encouragement.
Personal Interests
In my spare time, you may find me:
Spending quality time with my husband and friends
Reading alongside my cats, Nova and Nebula (who may make occasional appearances during telehealth sessions)
Exploring new hobbies like baking and furniture restoration
Celebrating my inner nerd and former theatre kid self with tabletop RPGs, video games, board games, anime, and other media
Listening to music on my beloved vinyl record player
Planning my next travel adventure (swimming with whale sharks is at the top of my bucket list!)
Nebula
Nova