We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shelly Werts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shelly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I began my career in the healthcare industry when I joined the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in 1993 and attended advanced training to become a Psychiatric Technician working in an inpatient mental health until at Naval Medical Center San Diego. I continued my career in mental health working in a variety of areas to include an adolescent inpatient mental health hospital, on-call mental health technician, youth service center, nursing home on a dementia unit, corrections, CPS, mental health intakes at a local hospital, therapist at the Veteran’s Hospital, and therapist in private practice since 2017. I realized there was a disconnection between mind and body medicine during my years of working within the mental health arena. I began training in yoga and reiki while working at the Veteran’s Hospital, discovering the importance of viewing each person as a whole system instead of only focusing on the mental/emotional sphere. I branched into private practice incorporating these modalities, as well as health coaching and women’s empowerment practices. I opened Lotus Counseling and Wellness Center in 2019 seeing a need for providing a variety of modalities to address the body, mind and spirit from a holistic perspective. Our services have expanded into providing yoga classes, a variety of holistic services, and mental health counseling, providing something for everyone, in a community wellness center environment where all people are welcome and accepted.

Shelly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am providing my bio from my website as I believe this description covers what you are asking:
Shelly Werts is the owner of Lotus Counseling and Wellness Center, where she provides holistic health services. Shelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, U.S. Navy Veteran, Warrior Goddess Training Facilitator, Women’s Empowerment Facilitator, Bootstrap Stress Management Facilitator, Yoga Teacher, Mental Health Integrative Medicine Provider, Vaginal Steam facilitator, Ayurvedic Health Counselor, Sound Healing Facilitator, and Reiki Practitioner. Shelly has been working in the mental health field for over 28 years in a variety of settings, starting her career in mental health as a Psychiatric Technician in the U.S. Navy, worked in several inpatient mental health hospitals, worked in Behavioral Health Corrections and Substance Abuse, worked for the Veterans Administration as a Therapist, and has been working as a therapist since 2006.

Shelly’s focus is on women’s health/empowerment, holistic wellness, and general mental health, infusing Ayurveda and holistic health when working with clients. Shelly provides Ayurvedic Wellness Coaching, Vaginal Steam Facilitation, Reiki, teaches Yoga, provides meditation and sound healing, leads women support circles, and facilitates a variety of workshops throughout the year. Shelly has been teaching yoga since 2015, obtaining certification through Aura Wellness and with Yogaia Yoga School, has attended a variety of yoga trainings, additionally completing Trauma Centered-Trauma Sensitive Yoga with the Center for Trauma and Embodiment Yoga Program, as well as, Certified Kundalini Rebirthing Facilitator training, with a focus of integrating a trauma-informed lens into yoga classes. Shelly is also a local artist, teaching art to others. Shelly is specifically trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Problem Solving Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, and Mindfulness.

“I teach yoga that most levels can enjoy and have been practicing yoga on/off since high school. Working in mental health has provided me an opportunity to examine the human condition. I believe it is important to combine body work with mental health therapy through a variety of modalities. There are many pieces to the bigger picture. Providing an atmosphere that encompasses something for everyone to progress in their individual journey to wellbeing has been my dream and guiding post. Yoga and Reiki have been ways for me to bridge the gap between mental health and physical well-being as a therapist and as a trauma survivor. I believe it is important to listen to what our bodies tell us and to never push oneself beyond your edges. While our services do not offer a cure, they are a means to serenity and peace of body, mind and spirit.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am a trauma survivor of both child and adult abuses. This led me to the profession of mental health and holistic wellness. My path is to offer the care and support that I needed, to offer a safe space for those suffering, and to remind others they already possess within them all they need to heal and grow. I see myself as a tour guide on the journey to healing.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m still learning and growing as a soul living in this human body. I am learning daily my self worth, that I am enough, and that I can do good things in support of others on their healing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lotuscounselwellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotus_counsel_wellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lotuscounselwellness
• Other: I am also a local artist. Here are the links for my art:

  https://www.facebook.com/artisticwitch69
  https://www.instagram.com/artisticwitch69
  http://the-artistic-witch.square.site/

Image Credits

All pictures were taken by me.