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DS Portrait of Debra Shelton

Debra Shelton

Problem-solving and compassion-focused care

LPC, LMHC Florida

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Debra

About Debra

Debra Shelton is a licensed counselor with more than two decades of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship struggles, grief, depression, trauma, sleep problems, self-esteem concerns, and compassion fatigue.

Background and approach

She brings a collaborative, down-to-earth manner to therapy and emphasizes practical skills as clients work through life transitions, family difficulties, codependency issues, and challenges related to caregiving or aging. Her approach blends evidence-informed techniques with respect for each person's values and goals.

Shelton draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered principles, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor treatment to individual needs. Clients learn problem-solving strategies, new ways of thinking, and behavioral experiments to test different solutions in daily life.

Licensed in multiple states and practicing out of Florida, she accepts international clients and offers flexible session formats designed to fit varied schedules and circumstances.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Debra Shelton frequently integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and coping with life changes; ACT emphasizes values-based action and accepting difficult emotions while moving toward meaningful goals.

She also uses client-centered techniques that prioritize the client's perspective and aim to create a collaborative relationship. Together the therapist and client explore which combination of methods best matches the client's needs, goals, and preferences, making the selection of techniques a joint process rather than a one-size-fits-all prescription.

Online therapy with her is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility in how and when sessions occur. These options help clients access consistent support around work, caregiving, or geographic constraints while allowing therapeutic tools like behavioral experiments, mindfulness exercises, and values work to be practiced between contacts.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Debra Shelton commonly address?
Her practice addresses stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family problems, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping difficulties, self-esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue among other related issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style and approach?
She uses an interactive, direct, casual, and respectful style that combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with ACT, client-centered techniques, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to support practical change.
What is her experience working as a therapist?
She has 22 years of clinical experience, bringing long-term practice to a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and licensure does she hold and where is she based?
She holds LPC and LMHC credentials and practices from Florida while maintaining licensure details including TN LPC 2805 and FL LMHC MH 14340.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients as part of her practice.
What session formats are available for therapy?
She provides multiple formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are costs and billing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression

Also works with

Trauma and abuseGriefSleeping disordersSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida

Languages

English