Debra Shelton, LPC, LMHC

Debra Shelton is a licensed counselor with 22 years of clinical experience who helps people move toward more fulfilling, manageable lives. She holds the credentials LPC and LMHC - LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. She has also provided online counseling services for the past six years.

She works with individuals facing depression, anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, grief, trauma and abuse, addiction concerns, sleep problems, low self-esteem, compassion fatigue, and the stresses of life transitions. She also supports clients recovering from narcissistic abuse and addresses a wide range of related issues such as caregiver stress, blended family dynamics, codependency, and communication problems. Her practice includes work with aging and geriatric issues and with people coping with divorce, isolation, guilt, and forgiveness.

Her therapeutic style is interactive, direct, casual, and respectful, creating a space where clients can explore challenges and consider practical solutions. She draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and humanistic or client-centered approaches, guiding clients to develop problem-solving skills, try new perspectives, and practice behaviors that support lasting change. When clients are ready to take the next step, she provides supportive, empowering guidance throughout the process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support with Debra Shelton

Debra Shelton works with approaches that emphasize practical skills, values-based action, and a collaborative relationship. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, while focusing on values-driven steps that lead to meaningful change - it can be useful for anxiety, avoidance, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) explores the links between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and teaches concrete strategies to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning, often helpful for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients can discover their own solutions and build self-trust, which supports work on self-esteem, relationships, and grief.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. She partners with clients to determine which methods fit best given their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts strategies as progress unfolds so the work remains client-focused and practical.

Online therapy with Debra is offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, travel, or mobility concerns. These options provide flexibility and continuity of care while allowing clients to engage in therapy in ways that suit their daily lives.