Josh Shields is a Licensed Associate Counselor with a Master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Franklin & Marshall College. He has provided therapy in a wide range of settings, including acute inpatient, schools, community-based programs, outpatient, and forensic environments. He works with children, teens, and adults.

Josh has particular experience treating anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, and emotion dysregulation. He was a founding clinician in Penn Medicine’s intensive in-home program for youth and families with severe anxiety and OCD. He has also conducted forensic psychological evaluations and mitigation reports across penitentiary, office, and virtual settings. In addition to clinical work, Josh has extensive experience advocating for youth in educational systems, supporting IEP and 504 plan development and revisions to help ensure students receive the services and accommodations they need to succeed.

His approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Psychodynamic and Existential principles. He holds advanced training in Trauma-Focused CBT, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. Josh takes a direct but supportive stance, helping clients challenge unhelpful patterns while honoring their individual pace. He meets emotional intensity with calm, confidence, and often humor, offering a space that feels both safe and transformative.

Josh believes that both insight and action are essential for meaningful growth. With the right support, even the most difficult work becomes more possible.

“Growth often begins by turning toward what we tend to avoid, but you don’t have to do it alone. I help clients approach discomfort with curiosity, clarity, and the support needed to make meaningful change feel possible.

Life is hard. Therapy helps.”