Shelley Akerman

Shelley Akerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Georgia with 11 years of clinical experience. She earned her master’s degree from Mercer University and has worked in both outpatient and hospital settings. Shelley approaches therapy with a warm, down-to-earth manner that many people find easy to talk with during stressful times.

Shelley keeps sessions practical and focused on everyday life. She helps people name what feels wrong and map small steps forward. Her style is relaxed and friendly, and she aims to create a space where clients feel respected and heard.

Clients come to Shelley for many concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction, ADHD, and coping with life changes. She also supports people facing caregiver strain, chronic illness, body image concerns, and the fallout from family-of-origin problems. Shelley works with people across a wide range of backgrounds and identities.

In sessions she uses straightforward tools and goal-focused conversations to solve practical problems. Shelley blends client-centered listening with techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people change unhelpful thinking and adopt new habits. Narrative and motivational approaches are also part of how she helps clients find direction.

Shelley describes therapy as a partnership. She helps clients set realistic goals and tries out different strategies until something fits. Her focus is on helping people feel more capable, calmer, and better able to manage life’s ups and downs.

Approaches that translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and responding to each person's experience. It focuses on understanding where someone is and offering support so they can find their own solutions, which can help with stress, grief, and relationship struggles.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It uses practical exercises and small behavioral changes to reduce anxiety, depression, and unhelpful patterns.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and simple practices to reduce reactivity and increase calm. It can be useful for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shelley collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals and preferences. She often tries different techniques and tailors them so the plan fits the client instead of forcing a single method.

The practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Online work can make it easier to keep regular appointments around school, work, or caregiving duties. The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking to learn how sessions are scheduled and delivered.