Therapist profile
David Shirly, LMHC
LMHC focusing on relationships and parenting
Continue with DavidAbout
- Anxiety and depression
- Parenting strain
- CBT and DBT skills
About David
David Shirly is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 10 years of clinical experience. He focuses on common concerns adults bring from home life, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, intimacy-related issues, parenting strain, and addictions. He also notes attention to ADHD, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem struggles.
He works in a conversational, client-centered way that lets people speak about what matters most. Sessions aim to clarify what feels out of balance in day-to-day life and to build straightforward skills for managing emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are used to reshape unhelpful thinking and routines.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are offered when intense emotions or impulsive behavior get in the way. Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas guide work on attachment, abandonment concerns, and improving emotional connection in relationships. Mindfulness techniques are used to slow down strong reactions and improve sleep and focus.
He also addresses specific concerns like codependency, caregiving stress, body image, BDSM and kink-related issues, dissociation, and problems that follow separation or domestic violence. For people affected by substance use, motivational interviewing and practical relapse-prevention strategies are part of the work.
Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. David helps people set short-term steps they can try between sessions, and he revisits those plans as progress or obstacles appear. If you want to know the session options offered now, confirm them before booking.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
David integrates Client-Centered Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to keep sessions practical and focused. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, validation, and letting the client set the pace and goals. CBT provides concrete tools to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and daily routines that contribute to anxiety, sleep problems, or low mood.He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills when emotion regulation and impulsive behaviors are disrupting daily life. DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills that can help with anger, addictions, and intense relationship reactions.
Finding the right mix of approaches is collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and try methods that fit the person's needs and preferences. Plans are adjusted over time based on what works in real life and what feels manageable between sessions.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around parenting, work, or caregiving responsibilities. It can also allow for shorter check-ins or sessions without video if that better suits a schedule or bandwidth. Licensed professionals often use this flexibility to help therapy fit into everyday routines rather than requiring major schedule changes.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
Florida, New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting strain, ADHD, sleep problems, anger, and self-esteem concerns.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses a client-centered approach and mixes in CBT, DBT, EFT, and mindfulness depending on what the person needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 10 years of experience as a clinician working with adult concerns related to mood, relationships, and behavior.
What are his credentials and where does he practice?
He is an LMHC licensed in New York and Florida and practices with a base in Florida.
Can I work with him if I live outside the US?
He accepts international clients; sessions are conducted in English.
What session formats are available?
The original biography did not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before scheduling.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.