While Shellie Beeker, LPC, NCC has been with Greenbrier Academy (GBA) for 5 years, she’s no newcomer to the industry. Shellie began her therapeutic career 10 years ago when she accepted a job as a wilderness field instructor. “I fell in love. It was the perfect combination of getting to work outside as an outdoor guide but with a purpose and meaning that took my love of nature to a new level,” says Shellie. She also counts herself as fortunate to have gained experience working in the residential department as a Student Life Supervisor at another therapeutic boarding school. There, she set up a community service program and realized her passion for helping struggling adolescents and their families to heal.
Ultimately, her desire to heal led her to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Appalachian State University. She later earned two post graduate certificates in both Addictions Counseling and Expressive Arts Counseling. Currently, Shellie is a licensed professional counselor in West Virginia.
Serving as the leader of GBA’s Nicaragua Service Learning Program, Shellie enjoys watching our students recognize that they can provide a precious gift to others by simply being a kind human being, filled with the desire and willingness to do good. “I have been fortunate to lead girls on service trips to Peru and Nicaragua as well as within our own community here at home.” Some of her most meaningful local charitable activities include volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, assisting with flood relief and helping out at the local animal shelter.
Shellie’s personal interests include spending time outdoors, traveling, gardening, and embarking on culinary adventures. Her students even earn a home-cooked meal at the end of each term as a reward for perfect attendance in their classes! She’s also an animal lover at heart and describes her beloved dog, Gunner, as her “other half, therapeutically.”
Shellie’s favorite part of her role as a GBA therapist is watching her students become empowered young women and seeing their families growing stronger. She also loves watching how Greenbrier Academy is ever-changing as well. “Our school seems to grow and develop alongside our girls!” From the diverse art classes and off-campus activities to the Aspiration program and service trips to Nicaragua, Shellie is proud to be a part of a community that is continuously adapting and advancing.
Greenbrier Academy for Girls located in West Virginia is a college preparatory, therapeutic boarding school for females, ages 13-18. The mission of Greenbrier is to emotionally heal and educate students and families, helping them virtuously take care of each other and themselves.