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 in counseling and has practiced in outpatient and hospital settings. Shelley aims to create a relaxed, respectful space where people can talk through what feels hard and work toward practical change.

Shelley’s style is down-to-earth and friendly. She believes having someone to talk to matters and models that by maintaining her own therapy practice. Sessions focus on clear goals and step-by-step strategies that fit everyday life. She emphasizes collaboration and treats people with acceptance and respect.

Her clinical work covers a wide range of concerns. Shelley helps people manage anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, and issues around relationships and intimacy. She also supports those facing stress from caregiving, chronic illness, body image struggles, addiction, and ADHD-related challenges.

Shelley draws on several research-based approaches and adapts them to each person. She uses client-centered conversations to hear what matters most, cognitive behavioral techniques to shift unhelpful patterns, and mindfulness to build moment-to-moment awareness. Motivational interviewing and narrative work help people find their own reasons for change and reframe difficult life stories.

People describe her as practical and creative when building solutions. Shelley aims to help clients find tools that fit their routines and values. She works with adults from diverse backgrounds and supports international clients who seek therapy in English.

Approaches used in online sessions and what they do

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following what matters most to the client. It helps people feel heard, clarify their goals, and build confidence for change.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. It teaches concrete skills to reduce worry, manage low mood, and change unhelpful patterns.

Mindfulness therapy brings attention to present-moment experience through simple practices. It can help with stress, anxiety, and managing difficult emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will work together with the client to choose methods that match the person’s goals, needs, and daily routines. That collaborative process means techniques can change over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule and to continue care across distances. Because the specific session formats are not listed in the biography, confirm the available options before booking. Once those details are confirmed, online work can let clients use shorter check-ins, schedule sessions around work or caregiving, or avoid travel time while focusing on the same therapeutic work they would do in person.