- 35 years experience
- Compassionate listening
- Practical coping skills
About David
David Shellenbarger, LPC, brings 35 years of counseling experience to his work in Michigan. He focuses on common struggles such as anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, and relationship concerns. He also lists panic disorder and panic attacks among his areas of focus. His tone is calm and straightforward, and he aims to create a respectful space where people can talk about what’s hardest for them.
Shellenbarger draws on many years working in school settings and in community practice. That background shaped his habit of using clear, practical steps to help people manage stress and everyday emotional challenges. He often helps with caregiver strain, workplace pressures, feelings of isolation, and the emotional work that follows separation and divorce.
In sessions he emphasizes real-world skills like better communication, coping strategies for stress, and ways to rebuild self-worth. He also helps people process grief and trauma at a pace that feels manageable. He describes his style as compassionate and nonjudgmental, aiming to understand each person's story before offering tools.
His approach combines client-centered listening with reality-oriented and rational-emotive methods. Those methods focus on what a person is experiencing now and on adjusting thoughts and behaviors that get in the way of daily functioning. He uses evidence-based techniques while tailoring them to each person’s needs.
People who choose him can expect straightforward conversation, practical strategies, and a focus on goals that matter to them. Prospective clients should confirm current session options when they book.
How therapeutic methods translate to online care
His work centers on practical, evidence-based techniques that aim to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning. Client-centered listening involves asking open questions and reflecting what a person says so they feel heard, and this helps clarify goals and priorities in therapy. Reality-oriented techniques focus on addressing current behaviors and routines that affect mood and stress, which can translate into concrete practice tasks and habit changes. Rational-emotive methods look at the thoughts that contribute to distress and teach ways to test and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns; this approach often helps with anxiety, including panic-related worries.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will work with each person to identify what feels most useful based on their concerns and goals. That may mean trying short experiments, adjusting strategies, and checking progress together over time.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the available session options before booking. Many people find online sessions easier to fit into busy days, require less travel, and allow work on skills between meetings. Online work can support regular check-ins, skill practice, and follow-up between appointments to help maintain momentum toward personal goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, self-esteem issues, relationship concerns, and related areas such as caregiver stress, workplace issues, and panic disorder and panic attacks.
What is his style and approach in sessions?
His style is compassionate and non-judgmental with a practical focus. He listens first, then offers skills for communication, coping with stress, and managing difficult emotions.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 35 years of experience working as a counselor, with much of his background in school settings and community practice.
What credentials and location apply to this provider?
He holds an LPC credential and practices in Michigan.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with this therapist?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions priced and paid for?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.