- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About David
David Shirly is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with ten years of experience. He helps people facing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, addiction, trauma, and the everyday pressures of early adulthood such as work stress and life transitions.
He uses clear, action-focused methods to help people manage intense feelings and make practical changes. Sessions include straightforward skill-building for stress, techniques to reduce anxiety, and ways to address sleeping and concentration problems. He also works with concerns around intimacy, attachment, and identity that often come up in young adulthood.
David draws on a mix of evidence-based approaches to match what each person needs. That can mean using cognitive tools to change unhelpful thought patterns, practicing emotion regulation skills, or focusing on connection and communication in relationships. He explains strategies plainly and practices them together with clients.
He also addresses substance use and behavioral addictions with motivational work and coping plans. For people coping with abuse, dissociation, or the fallout of separation, he helps break down next steps into manageable pieces. Parents and caregivers can work on stress and role strain within individual sessions.
Sessions aim to be practical and readable. David helps people set short-term goals and checks progress along the way. To start, people complete a brief matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
How his approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and collaboration. It helps people feel heard and figure out what they want to change, which is useful for relationship concerns and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thinking, feeling, and behavior. It offers specific exercises to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and change unhelpful thought patterns. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) provides skills for managing intense emotions and improving self-control, which can be helpful for anger, impulsive behaviors, and addiction.Finding the right approach is part of the process. He will work together with each person to pick methods that match their goals, needs, and what feels doable. That collaborative planning may mean trying techniques from more than one approach and adjusting as progress is made.
The practical benefits of doing this work online include easier scheduling around study or work, shorter check-ins when needed, and the ability to join sessions from different locations. The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it simpler to fit therapy into a young adult life full of job, school, and relationship demands.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Florida, New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he work with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma, sleep problems, ADHD, and related concerns listed on his profile.
What is his therapy style like?
He blends client-centered care with practical methods such as CBT and DBT, focusing on skills and clear steps rather than abstract theory.
How much experience does he have?
He has ten years of clinical experience working with adults on emotional and interpersonal issues.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is an LMHC licensed in New York and Florida and practices from Florida according to his profile.
In which language can I work with him?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He accepts international clients as stated in his profile; confirm any cross-border details before booking.
What session formats are offered?
His biography does not list specific session formats here; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are costs handled and how do I begin?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.