PuttingFamilyFirst

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SC Portrait of Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins
Online therapist

Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins

Straightforward counseling focused on practical change

Credentials
LPC, LCPC
Experience
18 years
Licensed in
Illinois, North Carolina, Alaska
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Shelia

Dr. Shelia Williamson Collins is a licensed professional counselor with 18 years of experience. She is credentialed as LPC and LCPC and practices from North Carolina.

She listens first and helps people name the problems they bring. Her tone is straightforward and practical, aimed at parents who want clear direction. She uses familiar, action-focused methods in sessions.

She often draws on client-centered work to follow what matters most to each person.

Background and approach

She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and DBT skills for managing strong emotions. Her background includes work in inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and substance use treatment settings. That variety shaped an approach grounded in steady, moment-to-moment support.

She leans toward concrete skills and step-by-step plans when those fit a person's needs. Sessions typically focus on solving current problems, improving communication, and building coping tools. For concerns like stress, mood problems, addiction, trauma, and parenting challenges she aims to help clients take practical steps forward.

The emphasis is on useful change rather than jargon. Dr. Collins encourages people to say what they need from therapy and to set reasonable goals.

She recommends a pace that matches each client's life and responsibilities. Her style is calm, direct, and focused on helping people move toward healthier routines and relationships.

How these approaches work in online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and responding to what matters most to the client. In practice this means sessions begin by asking the client's priorities and then following their lead to explore problems and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different ways of thinking and acting. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress by working on specific thought and behavior patterns.

Choosing an approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and propose methods that fit those needs. That plan can change over time as progress and new needs emerge, so the work stays collaborative and flexible.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules and allow regular contact without travel. For parents juggling work and childcare, the flexibility of multiple formats can help keep therapy consistent and usable in daily life.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?
She addresses a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, relationship and family matters, grief, parenting, and other listed specialties.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centered and practical, using client-centered listening along with CBT and DBT techniques to teach tools and strategies for everyday problems.
How much experience does she have?
She has 18 years of experience working in behavioral health settings including inpatient, outpatient, community services, and residential substance use treatment programs.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is licensed as LPC and LCPC with license details AK LPC 172820 and IL LCPC 180009872 and practices from North Carolina.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to the available formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
18 years
Licensed
Illinois, North Carolina, Alaska
Languages
English

Next step

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