About Us

A Little About Us

Sara-Nafziger Shelly, Spirit Song NC, Hickory NC

Sara Nafziger-Shelly (LCSW, BCD) is a recognized expert in the treatment of women and men suffering from complex trauma, depression, anxiety, and loss, and is a licensed clinical social worker with over 35 years of experience working in the mental health field.

Sara’s intention is to live a balanced life, one in which she is daily integrating spirit, body and mind. She is a trained Spiritual Director, who has been on a contemplative spiritual journey for many years.

When Sara discovered her ability to find space for silence; it was a life changing approach that made her spiritual and human relationships more intimate and life-giving. She has facilitated professional workshops for over 20 years. Family, art, nature, swimming and biking all play important roles in Sara’s life.

Sara has expertise in traditional modalities (psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, DBT) as well as non-traditional ones like sandtray therapy, art therapy, EMDR, dreamwork and spiritual direction.

Appointments are available either in person at her office, or online.

Having been employed as a therapist in public agencies, non-profit agencies, private practice, the school system, and a thriving large counseling center, Sara has discovered many effective tools to work with children and families. For the past 15 years, Sara has shared her knowledge and experience with the mental health community by providing valuable, well-rounded supervision and training to both the beginner and the experienced therapist.

Her own training encompasses a University of West Florida Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and over eighty workshops and instruction seminars.

A North Carolina clinical license practitioner, Sara expanded her two-year private practice into a multi-dimensional agency, Crossroads Counseling Center. The solid foundation that this agency was built upon embraced Sara’s vision and practice of the core belief that the innate ability to heal is within each and every individual. For the next fourteen years Sara honored her vision as she developed a diverse, collaborative team to help women, men, children, and families. Under Sara’s clear guidance and capable leadership, Crossroads earned a strong reputation for providing quality services to all racial and socioeconomic groups.

Always evolving and growing, in 2010, Sara transitioned away from her administration duties at Crossroads to begin a sister agency, Spirit Song, where she continues to use her skills and expertise helping others find their own internal healing wisdom.

Sara also offers therapy, classes and workshops that address the whole person – body, spirit and mind. Sara has an ongoing commitment to passing along her extensive experience as she travels and trains growing therapists.