Shelley Akerman, LPC

Shelley Akerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Georgia with 11 years of clinical experience. She earned her master's degree and has worked in both outpatient and hospital settings. Shelley brings a calm, down-to-earth presence to sessions. She aims to help people find practical, creative ways to reach their goals.

Shelley takes a friendly and relaxed approach. She meets clients where they are and focuses on real-life steps they can use between sessions. Conversations are respectful and nonjudgmental. The goal is steady progress, not instant fixes.

Her work addresses stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, and relationship concerns. She also helps with parenting strain, self-esteem, anger, intimacy issues, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and coping with major life changes. Additional focus areas include body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, codependency, and communication problems.

Shelley uses methods drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, mindfulness work, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. Those approaches help people change unhelpful thought patterns, build motivation, and tell their story in new ways. Sessions are collaborative and tailored to each person's needs.

Sessions are offered in English and Shelley is available to work with international clients. She supports people through both short-term problem solving and longer-term personal growth. Her style is supportive, solution-oriented, and practical.

How Shelley’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and empathy. It helps people feel heard and respected while they talk through problems or life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts affect feelings and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns and reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. Shelley collaborates with each person to pick or blend methods that match their goals and preferences. Together they try things, notice what helps, and adjust the plan as needed so work in sessions fits daily life.

Online formats make regular work easier to fit into a busy schedule. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and use of worksheets or screen-shared tools. Phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit quick support, ongoing coaching, or when writing things out feels clearer. These options support consistent progress and flexible access to a licensed professional.