Shelley Akerman , LPC

Shelley Akerman is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) practicing in Georgia with 11 years of clinical experience in outpatient and hospital settings. She earned her master’s degree from Mercer University in Atlanta in 2013 and has spent her career helping people across the lifespan, working with clients as young as 4 and as old as 92. Her practice has served individuals from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, political, gender, sexual, and spiritual backgrounds, addressing concerns such as depression, grief, low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma and abuse, relationship conflict, psychosis, self-harm, domestic violence, and addiction.

Shelley speaks from both professional training and personal experience - she values therapy personally and maintains her own therapist. Her approach is down-to-earth, laid back, and warm, focused on helping people feel respected and accepted while they work toward concrete goals. She collaborates with clients to develop practical and creative strategies that fit each person’s life and strengths, whether that involves building coping skills, improving communication, or navigating major life changes. Shelley is motivated by helping people discover their potential and move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life, and she looks forward to partnering with clients to pursue those goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Shelley Akerman draws from client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness therapy to support people in online sessions. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist listens closely and helps clients explore their values and goals - this approach can help with self-esteem, relationship issues, and emotional processing. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress management because it teaches practical skills to change patterns that get in the way of daily functioning. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and self-compassion through simple practices and can be especially helpful for anxiety, stress, and coping with difficult emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. Shelley collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts strategies over time so the treatment stays relevant and useful.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls or phone sessions, and shorter check-ins can happen by live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity during transitions, and access support from a distance while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor care to individual circumstances.