David Shellenbarger, LPC

David Shellenbarger is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Michigan with 35 years of experience. He focuses on helping people who are feeling depressed, anxious, isolated, or unsure about their next steps in life. He also supports those coping with grief, relationship struggles, self-esteem concerns, and caregiver stress.

David draws on practical, evidence-based techniques and keeps the work straightforward. Sessions often center on improving communication, building coping skills for stress and panic, and addressing social anxiety or workplace pressure. He aims to help people break problems into manageable steps and try new ways of responding to difficult situations.

Much of his background is in school settings, where he worked with young people across ages. That experience informs how he explains skills clearly and practices them in everyday life. He also has long experience helping adults through divorce, life transition, and caregiving challenges.

In sessions he strives to be warm and nonjudgmental while focusing on concrete progress. People can expect to talk about current struggles, practice communication and coping tools, and set realistic goals between meetings. His approach emphasizes understanding each person’s story while building useful skills.

Those considering therapy will find an emphasis on real-world strategies for stress, grief, and relationship problems. He encourages steady, practical steps toward stronger coping and clearer life direction.

How evidence-based methods translate to online care

David uses well-established, evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on concrete skills. One approach emphasizes client-centered work where the conversation is guided by the person's goals, helping them clarify values and set achievable steps. This helps with issues like low self-worth, life purpose, and decision making.

Another method he uses teaches specific coping and thinking strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, panic, and depression. These tools often include short exercises to change unhelpful thoughts and build calming responses, which can be practiced between sessions to reduce stress and panic attacks.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, priorities, and how they prefer to work, then tailor techniques that fit those needs. This collaborative planning helps make sessions practical and focused on daily life changes.

Because the biography does not list which session formats are offered, confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving, or school commitments and can reduce travel time. It also lets people use tools and exercises during the week and check in on progress, making therapy more convenient to apply to everyday situations.