Shelley Akerman, LPC - Therapist in Georgia

About Shelley

Shelley Akerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Georgia with 11 years of experience. She trained for her master’s degree and has worked in both outpatient and hospital settings. Shelley takes a straightforward, warm approach and aims to make therapy feel approachable for people under stress.

Her style is down-to-earth and friendly. Sessions focus on practical steps and creative problem solving. She emphasizes listening first, then building goals together that feel realistic and useful for day-to-day life.

Background and approach

Shelley uses a mix of approaches to match each person’s needs. She draws on client-centered work to keep the conversation rooted in what matters most to the client. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps break unhelpful thinking patterns and build different habits.

She also brings mindfulness and motivational techniques into sessions when they fit. These approaches can help with managing stress, anxiety, low mood, and motivation to change. Narrative ideas are used to reframe difficult stories people have told themselves.

Shelley has supported people dealing with many concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, addictions, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and related issues. Her aim is to help people find workable steps toward feeling better and reaching goals.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-centered therapy starts by focusing on what matters most to the person in the room. The therapist listens with curiosity and helps shape goals from the client’s priorities, which can be useful for relationship or family stresses and self-esteem concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers concrete tools to change unhelpful thinking and build new habits, which many people find helpful for anxiety, low mood, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Shelley works together with each person to pick methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process helps shape session plans and short-term steps to try between meetings.

Online therapy makes it easier to fit sessions into busy lives. Video calls and phone sessions create a face-to-face option, while live chat and text-based messaging work well for quick check-ins or when typing feels easier. These formats support flexibility and access so people can use the style of contact that works best for them.

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.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns are addressed?

Shelley works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, addictions, parenting concerns, anger, self-esteem, bipolar, ADHD, and related topics.

What is her therapy style like?

Her style is down-to-earth, laid back, and friendly. She focuses on listening, practical solutions, and collaborative goal setting.

How much experience does she have?

She has 11 years of experience working as a therapist in outpatient and hospital settings.

What credentials and location apply?

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - with licence GA LPC LPC011117 and practices in Georgia.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.

What session formats are offered?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does payment and cost work?

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

What steps are needed to begin?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 11 years
Licensed: Georgia
Languages: English

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