Shelby Riley graduated with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Pennsylvania.  Ms. Riley has been practicing for over fifteen years and specializes in couple therapy and sand tray and play therapy with adolescents and children.  While at Virginia Tech, she studied under Eliana Gil, one of the leading therapists in the field of play therapy.  

She worked in an outpatient group practice in La Mesa, CA, serving individuals, couples and families, and was the clinical director for a large day treatment program for emotionally disturbed adolescents in Chula Vista, CA.  Ms. Riley served as a disaster relief crisis counselor during the San Diego wildfires in 2003 and as an EAP therapist for the San Diego Sheriff's Department and the North County Fire Department.  She also served as the clinical consultant for Canyon View Christian Fellowship's children's ministry team and was the key-note speaker at their Children's Summit trainings in 2004 and 2005.  She served clients as a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in San Diego, CA until relocating to Pennsylvania to bring her family closer to extended family living along the East Coast in 2005.  She now is the owner and director of a private group practice in Chester Springs, PA.  Ms. Riley continues to present at trainings and workshops for the public and for other mental health professionals.  In addition to therapy, Ms. Riley also provides clinical supervision and professional practice building coaching to other therapists.

Ms. Riley is a clinical fellow in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists and is on the Pennsylvania Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (PAMFT) Board of Directors.  She served as the PAMFT Regional Director for Chester County from 2006 until 2009 and as the President-Elect from 2009 through 2011.  She now serves as President of PAMFT. 

Ms. Riley has been interviewed for KidsHealth Magazine, Parents Express Magazine, and MainLine Today as a specialist in family and relationship issues and by Psychotherapy Financial for expert practice-building techniques.  She has a monthly expert column on ChesterCountyMoms.com and contributes to other family oriented websites.  She is the author of two e-books: Five Secrets to Better Communication, and Assignments for Couples, a workbook to increase intimacy and relationship satisfaction.  She currently offers daytime and evening appointments and is committed to providing her clients with the highest quality of care and individualized services. 

For a sampling of Shelby's online articles:

 http://www.chestercountymoms.com/2013/02/valentines-day-connecting-in-real-ways.html

http://decodinghim.com/how-to-stop-stalking-your-ex-on-facebook/

http://decodinghim.com/how-to-overcome-nagging/

http://infidelityinfo.com/tips-to-bring-the-spark-back-and-affair-proof-your-marriage/