Debra Shelton , LPC, LMHC

Debra Shelton is a seasoned licensed therapist who brings 22 years of clinical experience to her practice. She holds the credentials LPC and LMHC - LPC stands for Licensed Professional Counselor and LMHC stands for Licensed Mental Health Counselor - and has provided counseling services across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. For the past six years she has also worked with an online counseling service, expanding access to her care.

Debra works with individuals facing depression, anxiety, life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, sleep problems, low self-esteem, and addiction concerns. She also supports those recovering from narcissistic abuse and people coping with caregiver stress, blended family challenges, and other complex family issues. Her approach is interactive, direct, casual, and respectful, aimed at creating a space where people can explore challenges and discover practical solutions.

Drawing on evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment strategies, and humanistic or client-centered principles, Debra helps clients identify strengths, learn new problem-solving skills, and experiment with different perspectives and behaviors. She frames therapy as a collaborative process that empowers individuals to make meaningful, sustainable changes in their lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Debra Shelton integrates practical, evidence-informed approaches to help clients navigate stress, grief, addiction, relationship struggles, and life transitions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) invites clients to notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then take actions aligned with personal values - this approach can help with anxiety, avoidance, and motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, offering tools for mood improvement, anxiety reduction, and coping with depression. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and supports the client in finding their own solutions - it is useful when people need space to explore identity, self-esteem, and relationship concerns.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process. Debra works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps ensure that therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single technique.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access licensed professionals from home or while traveling, and choose the mode of communication that supports steady progress.