Shay Selden, PsyD
Hi, I’m Shay! I’m a clinical psychologist based out of Philadelphia, PA. I have specialized training and clinical experience in working with complex trauma, attachment, multicultural issues, sexuality, gender, and various points of neurodivergence, such as ADHD, Autism, & giftedness/2E.
I came into this field from many points of lived experience that have shaped how I practice. I’ve always been a bit “too complicated”, in that my existence has never aligned neatly with whatever boxes the world thought I should fit in. At this point in my life, I identify as a mixed race, Black, neuroqueer, nonbinary, transmasc human. These words have, and will likely continue to change over time, but I’ve always been this person in one way or another. My experiences of difference have shown me that not everyone is going to “get it,” but my journey to finding these words showed me that some people will. It wasn’t until adulthood that I received an ADHD diagnosis, and began to self-identify as Autistic and then neuroqueer. Through these words, I’ve found more and more of those people who “get it.” It is that kind of authentic connectedness to self and others that drives my passion for working with folks on their own journeys of self-discovery and community connection.
It can be incredibly challenging to find providers that you feel affirmed and understood by, let alone who might actually share some of those same identities and experiences. As a clinician, I highly value the relationship, and strive to see, understand, and affirm the many pieces of what makes you uniquely you, as well as the pieces that connect you to others. While it’s not always easy to fully be yourself in this world, I enjoy creating space for people to feel safe enough to do that.
Specialities
Background & Certifications
- Doctor of Clinical Psychology (with concentration in multicultural psychology)
- Master of Education, Human Sexuality
- Licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania
- Licensed Psychologist in New York
- Authorized to Practice Inter-jurisdictional Telepsychology by the PSYPACT Commission
Dr. Selden’s Professional Bio
Shay Selden, PsyD, MEd, is a clinical psychologist & supervisor with over a decade of experience working with both adults and adolescents in outpatient settings, within community mental health, integrative medicine, and private practice.
Foundational to shaping their clinical identity, Shay completed their 2nd-year field placement with the Therapy Center of Philadelphia, a nonprofit therapy center rooted in feminist psychotherapy and anti-oppressive practice. Towards the end of that same training year, Shay began working as a psychotherapist for the Attic Youth Center, an LGBTQ youth center in Philadelphia, PA. The Attic allowed them to gain significant experience not only working with queer and transgender youth but also with long-term attachment-informed relational therapy.
Within their last years of graduate training, Shay developed clinical expertise in opioid and polysubstance addiction, having the opportunity to do long-term relational work with individuals receiving medically-assisted opiate treatment at the Center for Integrative Medicine, a program of AIDS Care Group. Following graduation, Shay stayed on as a postdoctoral psychology resident and began to take on additional roles, such as aiding in developing their LGBTQ+ program, Mosaic Medical. Alongside this, Shay spearheaded the development of a formal APA-accredited Psychology Residency program, which they served as director of until leaving the organization in 2021. Throughout their time at AIDS Care Group, Shay also served as a treatment team lead, psychology internship director, and clinical supervisor to numerous psychology trainees.
Shay subsequently transitioned into private practice and has led a group practice specializing in culturally affirmative care over the last several years. They currently work primarily with queer, trans, and nonbinary clients, performing therapy and evaluations for gender-affirming care support letters. During this time, Shay’s clinical interests have increasingly shifted to the experience of neurodivergence, with particular attention paid to the experience of navigating the world with intersecting marginalized identities.
DR. SHAY SELDEN
📞 302-307-1850
✉️ drshay@neurosparkhealth.com
Dr. Shay is currently accepting new clients for autism, ADHD, and AuDHD evaluations in most states.
One Spark Can Light a Fire
Diagnosis can be the catalyst for significant momentum. It can represent a turning point for your life, where you can move forward equipped with new knowledge about yourself and a new framework to guide you in your journey.
A formal assessment provides an incredible opportunity to gain knowledge about who you are and how you see the world.