Everyone is on a different path in life, and at times, we need someone to help us navigate the inevitable obstacles that arise. Throughout Sheelu Joshi Flegal’s 30 years of working with youth and families from diverse backgrounds, she has been a strong advocate for mental health and wellbeing. Sheelu believes that with every challenge, there is opportunity for growth. It is this aspect of her work that she finds most satisfying, witnessing the change a client experiences, especially when it is surprising to them.  Having someone kind and trusting to engage with in this type of personal exploration allows a client to become increasingly comfortable pushing their own limits. 

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Sheelu’s speciality services include depression, anxiety and stress management, substance use, parent-child conflict, school challenges, life transitions, stepparent and parent coaching, and issues specific to the LGBTQ+ community.  She is known by her clients to be highly effective with a style that is direct yet compassionate, humorous and light hearted at the right times, and culturally effective. Her style is solution-focused and begins with cultivating a strong relationship with each client. She employs a variety of techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed treatments.

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Sheelu received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Boston University in 1999 and enjoyed a long career as Director of Residential Care at Nashua Children’s Home. In 2013, a new opportunity arose and she joined the faculty at Souhegan High School as the School Social Worker.  From her leadership roles at Nashua Children’s Home  and as a school based mental health clinician, Sheelu has vast experience helping youth and their families who are facing mental health crises.

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In her spare time, Sheelu loves seeing live music, running around with the family dog, exploring new restaurants, and cooking.  She is an avid sports fan and shareholder of the Green Bay Packers. Sheelu and her husband, Scott, have raised a thriving teen daughter, and she is also a stepparent to two remarkable young adults.