ABOUT BRANDI
Brandi Shelton, LICSW, LCSW, is a trauma specialist, writer, and consultant. She has practiced therapy for 25 years, provided consultation services for 15 years, and is the founder and owner of Shelton Consulting and Development.
From the onset of her career, Brandi has focused almost exclusively on treating individuals who represent the global majority. She intentionally centers the experiences of Black people, however, she also works closely with Latinx peoples, specifically Indigenous and Afro-Latinx, as well as individuals who identify as “people of color.” This intentionality has given Brandi a unique perspective and understanding of how identity informs trauma treatment and personal development.
Brandi’s mantra is “Wholeness and joy is my birthright.” She believes that the key to sustained wellness lies in our ability to create and maintain emotional intimacy and deep connections with the relationships that matter to us the most. In her work, Brandi prioritizes her clients’ experiences of pain and betrayal in their most significant relationships.
Brandi earned her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University, and her graduate degree from the University of Michigan - School of Social Work. Her training also includes dozens of programs and courses in identity, attachment, and adverse experiences. Brandi’s work with survivors of natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, and people seeking asylum led her to become certified in disruptive event management and she is currently training to be certified in TF-CBT.
Her interest in the psychology of human connection is reflected in her study of betrayal trauma, self-compassion, and belonging.
Brandi was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. After living in the Washington, DC area for 20 years, she now lives in Atlanta with her partner, Carla. Brandi has a deep love of music, Japanese food, and planting things.
CAREER JOURNEY
1998 – Bachelor of Arts | Virginia State University
1999 – Master of Social Work | University of Michigan School of Social Work
1999 to 2004 – Therapist serving “severely emotionally disturbed” adolescents
2004 to 2010 –Social Worker | Clinical Director | System-wide Clinical Director | 3-campus institution
2007 – Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) | Washington, DC
2009 - Panel Speaker: DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Roundtable for frontline staff
2010 – Designed + facilitated senior management-level seminars | Friends of Choice Urban Schools
2010 – Retreat Speaker | The Education Policy Fellowship Program/Institute for Educational Leadership
2012 to 2020 – Director of Student Support Services | Director of Student Support and Engagement | Division Chair, Senior Director of Student Support + Engagement | Founded, designed, and implemented division serving local and global GED seekers + English learners
2013 – Attended Ixchel Spanish School | Antigua, Guatemala
2017 to 2019 – Advocacy support and policy change committee member, led by the Office of Deputy Mayor of Education and Office of the State Superintendent of Education | Disconnected Youth Change Network
2019 – Co-presenter at College Board Forum: Facilitating College Transitions for Students with Extraordinary Challenges
2020 – Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | Georgia | Launched Shelton Consulting + Development
2022 – Certified in Disruptive Event Management - R3 Continuum
Website Photo Credit of Photos of Brandi Shelton: Victor Coker
