Shelly "Sheldon" Lewin, LICSW, LCSW

Shelly "Sheldon" Lewin is a licensed clinical social worker with three decades of leadership in health systems. He brings a steady, compassionate presence to sessions and helps people address depression, grief, addiction, relationship strain, career shifts, and aging and geriatric issues. His style is straightforward and hopeful, focused on practical steps people can use between meetings.

He spent many years in executive roles at major hospitals and health systems, which shaped his practical approach to problem solving. He holds an MSW from Loyola University and an MBA from North Park University, and he has worked in multiple states before settling in New Mexico. Those experiences inform how he organizes care and supports clear goals.

In early meetings he asks about what led you to therapy and what you want to change. Sessions often include identifying unhelpful thought patterns, exploring relationship dynamics, and finding small, achievable steps toward better routines. He uses a mix of evidence-based tools to match the pace and needs of each person.

Shelly emphasizes collaboration. He listens for strengths and builds on them, helping people regain confidence and direction after loss, illness, or major life changes. He also pays attention to how past experiences shape current behavior and choices.

Outside of work he enjoys hiking, travel, reading, and art, and he lives in New Mexico with his wife and their dog. His practice aims to combine practical planning with steady emotional support.

How these approaches guide online work

CBT, Emotionally-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing are often used together to address both thoughts and feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thinking and builds concrete skills for mood and behavior change. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on feelings and relationship patterns to improve connection and understanding. Motivational Interviewing supports readiness for change by exploring personal values and strengthening commitment to new behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shelly will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, history, and preferences. That means trying an approach for a few sessions and adjusting based on how well it helps you move forward.

Confirm session formats before booking so you know what is offered at the time. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins can be scheduled during a lunch break, and sessions without video can reduce bandwidth needs. Talk with the therapist when you match to decide what style and practical setup will work best for your routine.