Debra Shelton, LPC, LMHC

Debra Shelton is a licensed counselor with 22 years of experience helping people who feel stuck or overwhelmed. She works with concerns like anxiety, depression, stress, addictions, grief, sleep problems, low self-esteem, and difficulties during life changes. Debra aims to make the first step feel manageable for someone who is nervous about reaching out.

Her style is direct, interactive, and respectful. Sessions are casual but focused on practical solutions. She encourages people to try small behavior changes and new ways of thinking that can make daily life easier.

Debra draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered approaches, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing. Those tools help people notice unhelpful thoughts, try new actions, and build habits that match their values. She also helps people process trauma, grief, and relationship pain in ways that fit each person’s pace.

She has clinical licensure as an LPC and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and she practices from Florida. Her work includes support for issues such as caregiver stress, blended family challenges, codependency, communication problems, and addiction recovery. Debra aims to teach coping skills people can use again after therapy ends.

People who choose her often want practical guidance and a collaborative approach. She focuses on clear steps, realistic goals, and steady progress toward a more manageable, meaningful life.

Approach and access through online therapy

Debra uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT is practical and problem-focused, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and coping after loss. She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when feelings are difficult. ACT is useful for managing long-term stress and building a life that matters to the person.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will listen to your goals and concerns, explain options, and try methods that match your needs and preferences. That collaborative process makes it easier to adjust techniques if something does not feel like the best fit.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to give practical flexibility. Video allows face-to-face conversation for skill practice, phone works well when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins, and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These formats make therapy easier to fit around work, caregiving, or travel while still focusing on steady progress.