Shelley Akerman , LPC

Shelley Akerman is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Georgia with 11 years of experience providing therapy in both outpatient and hospital settings. She earned her master’s degree from Mercer University in Atlanta in 2013 and has since worked with people across the lifespan, from young children to older adults, representing a wide range of cultural, racial, gender, sexual, and spiritual backgrounds.

Shelley’s clinical work addresses a broad spectrum of concerns, including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and family difficulties, addictions, grief, parenting challenges, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and intimacy-related issues. She also supports people facing caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, codependency, communication and commitment problems, domestic violence, and other complex life circumstances. Her approach blends practical strategies and creative problem-solving to help clients make meaningful change.

She is a firm believer in the value of therapy and, having her own therapist, appreciates the importance of feeling supported, respected, and accepted in the therapeutic relationship. Shelley’s counseling style is down-to-earth, laid back, and friendly, and she partners with clients to identify realistic goals and steps toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shelley integrates Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Mindfulness Therapy into her online practice. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s own goals and insights guide progress - it is especially helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and navigating life transitions. CBT helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and teaches practical skills to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment awareness and stress-reduction techniques that can support coping with trauma, chronic stress, and emotional regulation.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Shelley works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions as therapy unfolds so clients receive approaches that feel relevant and effective.

Online sessions offer flexibility and accessibility, allowing clients to connect by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit care into busy schedules, accommodate different comfort levels with communication, and maintain continuity of support across locations while working with licensed professionals and therapists.