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Shelly Bates
Shelly Bates has always had a knack for creativity and a passion to help others. She is an author, counselor, teacher, mentor, and has an uncanny (gifted) ability to stretch you beyond. She is the founder of Butterfly Effect Counseling & Consultation Center in Richardson, Texas. Also known as “The Black Bag Therapist,” she is passionate about helping womxn heal from the impact of sexual trauma, early childhood/parent wounds, and emotional abuse. Her main focus is working with womxn of color as they are unique, gifted and powerful. Shelly firmly believes once transformation takes place, the inner beauty and strength will be reflected both on the inside and the outside. The Consultation Center serves as a platform to educate, provide wellness strategies, programs and support to other mental health professionals. Healers also need healing. Shelly is certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing); and is certified in Brainspotting. Also a Brainspotting Consultant, she serves the BIPOC Brainspotting community by facilitating other BIPOC Brainspotting trainings; offering a monthly peer consultation group, and working with others in their certification journey. She is an avid researcher and reader. Shelly enjoys spending time with family, being creative, and grounding herself in the stillness of nature.