Welcome to Selden Psych

Hi, I'm Shay! (They/He). I’m a licensed clinical psychologist who provides neuroaffirming, culturally conscious assessment and psychotherapy services that help reframe unhelpful narratives. My approach is shaped by my own lived experience, as well as my specialized training and clinical work with marginalized and stigmatized communities.

I am currently offering Adult psychological assessment services for individuals exploring diagnoses of Autism, ADHD, and broader experiences of neurodivergence.

I offer short-term psychotherapy to help you explore your identity and personal growth. I also provide post-diagnostic support for those who want to better understand themselves and their neurotype. These time-limited services typically last between 2 and 12 sessions. We'll work together to identify and create strategies for current difficulties, especially those caused by the mismatch between your needs and your environment.

I also offer a limited number of long-term psychotherapy slots when they become available.

My clinical experience and training include working with:

  • Complex trauma and attachment

  • Multicultural issues, sexuality, and gender

  • Neurodivergence, such as Autism, ADHD, PDA profiles, giftedness/twice-exceptionality (2e), and OCD

Portrait of Psychologist Shay Selden, a Black, mixed race nonbinary transmasculine human, wearing an open long-sleeve flannel and white t-shirt underneath

Hi, I’m Shay

(they/he)

Shay Selden, PsyD, MEd

  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology & Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University

  • Licensed Psychologist in PA & NY

  • PSYPACT Authorized to Provide Telehealth in Most States

My Journey and Philosophy

I came to this field from many points of lived experience, having always felt a bit "too complicated" for the neat boxes the world tried to fit me into. Reflecting my love of precise language, I identify as a mixed-race, Black, AuDHD/neuroqueer, non-binary, 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 have shown me that not everyone will "get it," but my journey to finding these words showed me that some people will. That kind of authentic connection to self and others is what drives my passion for working with folks on their own journeys of self-discovery and community connection.

Diagnosis as a Tool for Empowerment

My approach to diagnosis is deeply informed by my commitment to anti-oppressive practice and liberatory principles. I believe in understanding the impact of socio-political and cultural context on how we view and experience difference. A neuro-affirming diagnosis is not simply a label of pathology—it’s a powerful tool for self-understanding and positive identity development.

Research shows that positive identity development and community pride are invaluable protective factors against the negative effects of minority stress on well-being. By adopting an intersectional, socio-politically informed approach, diagnosis becomes less about "what's wrong" with you and more about contextualizing your experiences within a broader social framework. This allows for a more comprehensive and compassionate narrative of your experiences while also advocating for systemic changes that create more inclusive environments.

Working Together

It can be incredibly challenging to find a provider who truly understands and affirms you, especially one who may share some of your identities and experiences. As a clinician, I highly value the relationship and strive to see, understand, and affirm the many pieces that make you uniquely you, as well as the pieces that connect you to others.

I bring my values of transparency, authenticity, and collaboration into our work together. I view the assessment process, as well as psychotherapy, as a chance to uncover and re-contextualize your life experiences as a team. This collaborative engagement helps ensure we prioritize a narrative that makes sense to you and captures the areas of strength and difference that are meaningful within your life.

    • I am experienced with making diagnoses for people with less straight forward presentations, such as those that are high-masking, exhibit atypical autistic traits, or have been able to navigate life “well enough” through compensatory skills. 

    • I am also able to assess for potential differentials or co-occurring conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, complex trauma, dissociative disorders, or substance misuse or dependence.

    • All assessments include a full written report and up to one additional document (i.e., a letter of accommodations tailored to a specific school's documentation requirements, emotional support animal documentation, or letter for access to gender affirming medical care).

    • Assessments are self-pay, with set service offerings for ADHD, autism, and dual-AuDHD. Depending on your needs, as well as complexity of your clinical presentation, additional assessment may be needed to rule out other conditions and increase clarity of diagnostic impressions. Any additional assessment will be discussed with you beforehand to determine if appropriate for your needs.

    • I also offer transdiagnostic collaborative assessment for individuals who are interested in exploring aspects of their functioning without the constraints of pursuing a specific diagnosis. This can also be a good way of honing in on particular experiences and challenges that cross multiple diagnoses, or engaging in assessment of current concerns for individuals who may not meet full criteria for any one particular diagnosis.

  • While I am comfortable making diagnoses for people with less straight forward presentations, I may not be the best person for certain differential diagnoses and experiences. 

    • Psychosis (Hallucinations and/or Delusions): I have some degree of knowledge and experience with psychosis across diagnoses, but I do not feel confident diagnosing schizophrenia spectrum conditions at this time. I have done some differential diagnosis of these presentations with autism, but there is a lot more for me to learn, and I do not have the capacity for more comprehensive testing which would be needed to clarify an autism diagnosis in the presence of truly co-occurring schizophrenia/schizoaffective/schizotypal conditions.

    • Specific Learning Disabilities (e.g., Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia): 'Specific learning disabilities' refer to various neurodevelopmental differences that affects a person's ability to acquire, comprehend, or use academic skills in specific areas, such as reading, writing, or math. I find it important to gather information regarding learning differences that impact an individual's life, along with the impact of any formal treatment, and ways in which the individual has worked to compensate for these in life. However, at this time I do not have the appropriate assessment skills to formally diagnose these. What I am able to do at this time is identify experiences which may align with a specific learning disability, provide you with additional information in order to explore this possibility, and recommend additional testing as desired.