We recently connected with Shelly Qualtieri and have shared our conversation below.
Shelly, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I opened my therapy clinic seven years ago, I was equal parts excited and terrified. I had the passion and the vision, but I also had a constant whisper in my head asking, “Who am I to be running a clinic?” Every decision — from hiring my first therapist to signing a lease — felt like it could make or break everything.
In those early years, I kept my doubts to myself. I thought, as the owner, I had to project absolute confidence. But bottling that up made every setback feel heavier. When a therapist left unexpectedly, when I miscalculated budgets, or when a marketing idea flopped, I took it as proof that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.
Things shifted when I started sharing openly with other clinic owners and peers in the therapy field. I realized I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. We swapped stories of missed opportunities, bad hires, and awkward client moments — and it made the failures feel… normal.
I also began inviting honest feedback from my team and even my clients. Sometimes it stung — like hearing a client’s experience didn’t match the high standard I wanted. But those moments became fuel for improvement, not shame. Slowly, I began to trust that I was growing into my role, even if it wasn’t always graceful.
Seven years in, the clinic has grown far beyond what I imagined in those first uncertain days. But imposter syndrome hasn’t disappeared. Every time I add new services, expand the team, or step into a bigger leadership role, it’s the same feeling all over again — “new level, new devil.”
The difference now is that I see it as a sign of growth. I remind myself that I’ve navigated uncertainty before, learned from failures before, and built something that truly helps people. That’s the proof I belong here — even if my inner critic hasn’t quite gotten the memo.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
At Shelly Qualtieri & Associates Counselling and Coaching, we’re passionate about making mental health support accessible, practical, and impactful for people of all ages. Our motto — Real Tools. Real Change. Bite Sized Strategies for Emotional Wellness & Resilience at Every Age — isn’t just a tagline; it’s the way we work every single day.
What excites me most about what we do is seeing real, measurable transformation in people’s lives. We pride ourselves on having no wait lists, so clients can start therapy quickly and, if needed, meet with their therapist weekly for consistent progress. Every session is goal driven, with a focus on creating clear outcomes that matter to each client — whether that’s building confidence, improving relationships, managing anxiety, or navigating a major life transition.
We support individuals, couples, families, children, and teens, but our work doesn’t stop at the clinic door. We also run mental health workshops for teams, athletes, the corporate sector, and schools, equipping groups with practical strategies to boost resilience, communication, and emotional well being.
Another area we’re proud of is our ADHD assessments for adults, which often bring clarity and relief for those who have struggled for years without answers. We also have a highly skilled education strategist on our team who supports families and students with services like:
• Individual Program Plan (IPP) development and implementation
• Psychoeducational assessment review
• High school course selection and graduation requirement planning
• Post secondary pathway planning
These services are invaluable for students navigating school and life transitions, and they’re part of our commitment to supporting the whole person — academically, emotionally, and socially.
What makes our brand truly special is our team. Every member is deeply committed, compassionate, and highly skilled. We collaborate closely, ensuring that each client receives personalized, high quality support that addresses both the immediate challenge and the bigger picture of their life.
Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand our reach with new programs, community partnerships, and workshops that break down barriers to mental health support. We believe in creating lasting change — not just for the people who walk into our clinic, but for our entire community.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have most shaped my journey are:
1. Real world experience and empathy.
I didn’t go straight from school to a therapist’s chair. I’ve worked in the field — in people’s homes, in shelters, in community spaces — alongside those navigating the justice system, domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness. I’ve heard their stories in their own words and seen firsthand the barriers they face. That experience has given me a deep, lived understanding of people’s struggles that you simply can’t learn from a textbook.
2. Adaptability and a growth mindset.
The work I’ve done has taught me that no two people, families, or situations are the same. Approaches that work for one client might not work for another. Having a growth mindset — staying curious, willing to learn, and open to feedback — has allowed me to continually evolve my practice and better meet clients where they are.
3. Goal driven, outcomes focused approach.
Over time, I’ve learned that meaningful change doesn’t come from endless conversation alone — it comes from setting clear goals, tracking progress, and celebrating wins along the way. Whether it’s in my clinic work, community outreach, or team leadership, I keep outcomes at the heart of what I do.
My advice for those starting out:
Get out into the world and immerse yourself in real life settings where people live and struggle. Listen more than you talk. Stay curious and humble, knowing that you will never “arrive” — there’s always more to learn. And no matter your role, focus on creating real, measurable change for the people you serve.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
At Shelly Qualtieri & Associates Counselling and Coaching, we are always looking to engage and connect with our community through workshops, networking, and collaborative support. We believe that by working together, we can strengthen mental health awareness, build resilience across all ages, and create more accessible pathways for people to get the help they need.
We’re eager to connect with schools, sports teams, non profits, community organizations, corporate groups, and other professionals who share our commitment to mental wellness. Whether it’s co hosting a mental health workshop, developing joint programs, offering workplace training, or creating resources for youth and families — we’d love to explore ways to work together.
If you’re reading this and think we might be able to partner, we’d love to hear from you.
You can reach us at 587 330 1155, [email protected], or visit www.shellyqualtieri.ca.
Let’s start a conversation and see how we can make a bigger impact, together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shellyqualtieri.ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyqualtieri/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shellyqualtieri/
Image Credits
Image credits: Becky Noblet -Tangerine Photography: https://www.tangerinephotography.ca/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
