Qualifications & Education:

MD #A142566

Medical Degree:

Howard University College of Medicine

Residency:

University of Texas Health Sciences Center, McGovern Medical School

Fellowship:

Stanford Hospital and Clinics

Board Certified:

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Psychiatry

Professional Memberships:

AACAP

Clinic:

San Jose

Specialties:

Depression; Anxiety ;Anger/irritability/emotional dysregulation; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Bipolar Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma; Disruptive behaviors/Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD); Vietnamese, Catholic/Christian (practicing or not), Faith & spirituality MH integration, acculturation stress (immigrants, children of immigrants), a wide spectrum of Asian, Black, African-American populations

Modalities:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT); Working with parents for parent training/coaching/support; Family Therapy; Couples Therapy; Group Therapy; Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT);Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Therapy; Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT); Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT); Narrative Therapy; Motivational Interviewing

About Dr. Shelly Tran: 

Hi there! My name is Shelly Tran, and I’m so glad to share a bit about myself and what it’s like to work with me. People often describe me as bubbly, enthusiastic, comforting, and cohesive. I believe laughter is truly the best medicine, and you’ll find I use humor often in our sessions. For my own well-being, I enjoy water aerobics, swimming, volunteering, board games, karaoke, audiobooks, cooking, exploring new places, and, of course, sharing laughs and moments with my loved ones.

My core treatment philosophy centers on understanding you as a whole person. I want to learn your unique story, what truly matters to you, and, if needed, help you articulate your experiences. I see our therapeutic relationship as a partnership built on trust and open communication, with you always in the driver’s seat. The more you can help me understand your world, the better I can share relevant resources and insights with you. My goal is for you and/or your child to understand what’s going on and be active participants in your healing journey. I particularly enjoy working with parents/caregivers and families, as I believe their involvement is essential to a child’s treatment and recovery.

Since 2018, I’ve primarily worked with adolescents and young adults in higher levels of care, particularly in Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs). I thrive in a team environment, appreciating the depth of learning and progress we can achieve with families in crisis, even in a short time. My extensive experience includes addressing depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and co-occurring substance use disorders. I also have training experience with mood/bipolar spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and eating disorders. I always take a trauma-informed approach, utilizing techniques from various talk therapies, including psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, MBT, and ACT, to address your unique needs. When it comes to medication, my philosophy is conservatively inclined by default, and bold when necessary.

I’m deeply passionate about bridging the gap between mental health knowledge and treatment, especially within minority and faith communities where stigma often exists. As a member of both, I actively volunteer as a mental health minister and Catechism teacher at my parish. Professionally, I seek opportunities to incorporate a person’s faith and spiritual beliefs into their treatment and recovery journey. If this resonates with you, I am committed to supporting you in that way.

My background as the child of Vietnamese refugees has profoundly shaped who I am. I speak Vietnamese fluently, though I may navigate psychiatric terms with a bit less ease – but don’t worry, I’m excellent at games like Taboo, so we’ll figure it out together! If you’re willing to collaborate, I’m confident we can connect effectively, whether in Vietnamese or English, because understanding each other takes work in any language!

Ultimately, I am passionate about this work, and I welcome and respect everyone. We all have mental health, and just like physical health, it requires care. I am here to work with you, empower you, and boost your hope for you and/or your child to live your best possible life.