Shelly Harrell

Psychotherapist, Professor & Meditation Teacher

Dr. Shelly Harrell is a licensed psychotherapist, certified meditation teacher, and currently a Full Professor at Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Her research focuses on the development of culturally-attuned, resilience-oriented interventions with an emphasis on cultural dimensions of contemplative practices such as meditation and mindfulness.  She has a long-standing focus and numerous publications on sociocultural and sociopolitical aspects of stress, racism, mental health, psychotherapy supervision, intergroup relations, and the health and well-being of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).  Most recently, she has developed a “soulfulness” approach to contemplative practice that emphasizes mental, emotional, and collective liberation from oppression. Dr. Harrell has served as a consultant and trainer for numerous educational, social service, and health care organizations on issues of cultural diversity for nearly 30 years.  She is also on the faculty of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy and is a featured therapist on NICABM’s “Next Level Practitioner” series.