Debra Shelton, LPC, LMHC - Therapist in Florida

About Debra

Debra Shelton is a licensed counselor with 22 years of experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and life changes. She welcomes conversations about sleep problems, grief, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. Her tone in sessions is straightforward and respectful, focusing on practical steps rather than jargon.

Debra holds LPC and LMHC credentials and practices from Florida. Her approach is interactive and direct while remaining calm and supportive.

Background and approach

She draws on several evidence-informed methods, such as cognitive behavioral techniques and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, to help people notice thoughts and try new ways of responding. Sessions also include client-centered listening and mindfulness practices to build awareness and reduce reactivity. Debra emphasizes skills that clients can use after sessions.

People work on problem solving, communication habits, and coping strategies tailored to their daily life. She encourages experimenting with small behavior changes and noticing what helps over time. She has experience addressing issues tied to relationships, blended family concerns, caregiver stress, and aging-related challenges among other areas.

Motivational interviewing informs work around substance use and readiness to change. The goal is steady progress, not instant fixes. To begin, a person completes a brief matching questionnaire and schedules sessions that fit their routine.

Debra supports clients through a subscription model that allows ongoing access for as long as it’s helpful.

Therapy approaches and online flexibility

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice their thoughts and choose actions aligned with their values instead of getting stuck in unhelpful patterns. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with real-life experiments to change feelings and behaviors. It often helps with anxiety, sleep problems, and depressive symptoms. Finding the right blend of approaches is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to decide which methods fit a person's goals and preferences, adjusting the plan over time based on what helps most. Online work makes regular sessions easier to maintain. Video and phone calls let people meet live when schedules are tight, while live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins or ongoing coaching between sessions. This range of options aims to make therapy more practical and accessible for everyday life, letting people practice new skills in real time and follow up when it matters most.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Less about arguing with difficult thoughts, more about loosening their grip and acting on what matters to you anyway. Values and committed action carry the work, which suits conversation at a distance.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Debra help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, trauma and related issues such as sleep trouble, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapy style?

The approach is interactive and direct yet respectful. Sessions focus on practical steps and skill building rather than long technical explanations.

What professional experience does she bring?

Debra has 22 years of clinical experience and has worked with a range of concerns including compassion fatigue and relationship problems.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds LPC and LMHC credentials and practices from Florida. Licences include TN LPC 2805 and FL LMHC MH 14340.

In what language are sessions offered and can international clients connect?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

Which session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to start working together?

Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapists availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 22 years
Licensed: Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida
Languages: English

Next step

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