David Shirly

David Shirly is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with ten years of practice based in Florida. He focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and anger. He also supports those facing relationship struggles, intimacy concerns, sleep problems, parenting strain, and attention-related challenges such as ADHD.

David uses a straightforward, empathetic approach in sessions. He listens without rushing and helps people name what they are feeling. From there he works with each person to set clear, manageable goals and practical steps for change.

His background combines client-centered care with evidence-based techniques. He draws on cognitive behavioral methods to challenge unhelpful thoughts and on dialectical behavior strategies to teach emotion regulation and distress tolerance. Mindfulness practices are woven in to increase present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity.

Many people come for help with anger, trauma, or patterns that repeat in relationships. David also works with issues like codependency, attachment and abandonment concerns, body image, and substance use. He aims to make therapy useful in everyday life, not just talk about feelings.

Sessions are tailored to what each person needs and paced to their comfort. David helps people build skills they can use between sessions, from communication tools to grounding practices. He encourages small, steady steps toward greater stability and connection.

Approach-driven online care and how it helps

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person as they are. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects their experience, and helps people clarify goals and values in plain terms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It involves identifying unhelpful thought patterns and practicing new ways of thinking to reduce anxiety, depression, and anger. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions and reducing impulsive reactions, which can be useful for people who struggle with anger or self-destructive behaviors.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose techniques that match their needs, goals, and comfort. That may mean starting with listening, then adding CBT or DBT skills as appropriate.

The written biography does not list which online session formats are offered, so confirm options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. They can also let people practice new skills between obligations and bring examples from daily life into the work with a licensed professional.