About Dr. Fields | First Step

Who is Dr. Shanelle Fields?

Dr. Shanelle Fields is a native of Florence, SC and has lived in Charleston for 22 years. She is very familiar with the Lowcountry and has over 17 years of experience in the Educational industry. During this time, she has educated and assisted students across Charleston County School District as a teacher and School Counselor from "one end of the peninsula to the other."

Dr. Shanelle obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English Education from the College of Charleston and graduated in 2002. She matriculated to The Citadel Military College of SC to obtain her Masters of Education in Secondary School Counseling and completed her degree in 2005. Dr. Fields has always been a lover of school. So, she decided to obtain a terminal degree and attended Capella University to earn a PhD in Counseling and Human Services in 2014. Holding on to her desire of helping others, she studied hard and completed the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in November 2018. In August of 2018, she opened Taking the First Step Counseling & Educational Services, LLC in Summerville, SC.

Dr. Fields employs compassion when working with adolescents and adults to help them "figure it out." Additionally, Dr. Fields has worked with many diverse clients by offering family therapy, individual counseling, College/Career Counseling, Time Management and motivational counseling. She has experience working with ADD, ADHD, behavioral issues, life transitions, anxiety, depression, grief and relationship/ marital issues. Dr. Shanelle also enjoys working with the LGBTQIA+ population. Her niche is boosting self-esteem in women. Dr. Fields' style is unique, as she blends many techniques and theories together to find what works best for individualized treatment. She enjoys assisting others in garnering a positive mindset, altering negative thoughts, and believing in themselves.