- Calm and approachable
- Goal focused
- Practical tools
About Shelley
Shelley Akerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Georgia with 11 years of experience. She began her journey after earning a master’s degree and has worked in outpatient and hospital settings. She brings a calm, down-to-earth presence and focuses on practical steps people can use right away.
Shelley's style is relaxed and friendly. She aims to create a space where people feel respected and heard. Sessions often focus on clear goals and small, doable changes rather than overwhelming theory.
She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, ADHD, and issues around relationships and intimacy. Codependency and family of origin issues are listed among her areas of focus. Shelley also helps with caregiver stress, chronic illness, body image, and life transitions.
Her approach draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral tools, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and narrative methods. That means conversations center on the person’s experience while also introducing practical techniques for thinking and behavior. She balances listening with collaborative planning to reach concrete goals.
People who prefer a straightforward, compassionate therapist may find her style fits well. She aims to help clients identify patterns, try new choices, and build skills they can use between sessions. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
Approaches that guide online work and growth
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the individual's perspective. The therapist prioritizes the person’s own goals and provides supportive feedback to help them understand themselves better.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thinking and try new behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, and coping with stress.
Mindfulness Therapy introduces simple awareness practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus. These strategies are useful for managing stress, staying present, and handling difficult emotions.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit their needs and goals. That can mean combining listening-based, skills-based, and mindfulness strategies over time.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life. It may reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people join from wherever they have quieter surroundings. Confirm the available session formats before booking to know what options are supported for scheduling.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Credentials
Georgia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help people with?
Shelley works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, ADHD, and related concerns such as codependency and family of origin issues.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is down-to-earth and friendly. Sessions mix attentive listening with practical, goal-oriented strategies to help people make small changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 11 years of experience working in both outpatient and hospital settings since completing her master’s degree.
Where is she licensed and practice located?
She holds an LPC credential and practices in Georgia.
Does she offer services in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific session formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.