About David
David Shirly is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Florida. He brings ten years of experience helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, or relationship pain. David aims to make sessions straightforward and focused on what a person needs now.
He uses practical, evidence-informed approaches to address problems like sleep disruption, anger, parenting strain, low self-esteem, and ADHD. He also works with concerns such as attachment wounds, abandonment, codependency, body image, and intimacy-related issues, including kink and alternative sex culture.
How David works
Sessions emphasize skill-building and clearer communication. David creates a calm, respectful space where people can talk through trauma, substance challenges, or patterns that keep repeating. He draws on client-centered methods to follow each person’s pace and priorities.
He also uses cognitive techniques to challenge unhelpful thinking and dialectical skills to manage strong emotions. Over his career he has helped people untangle relationship conflict, negotiate separation or divorce issues, and cope with caregiver stress. He offers tools for reducing risky behaviors related to drugs and alcohol and for recovering safety after domestic violence or abuse.
His work often balances practical steps with emotional understanding. Sessions are available in English and can be scheduled for people inside or outside the United States. David works online, using formats that fit different schedules and communication styles.
David lists 10 ways of working on the entry:
What David works with
The areas below are the ones David selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sleeping disorders
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LMHC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 10 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Florida |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Approach-informed care delivered online
David blends client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening closely and following the person's priorities so sessions match what they want to address. CBT breaks down unhelpful thoughts and builds different ways of thinking and acting to reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. DBT teaches skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to identify which methods fit their goals and preferences. Together they decide whether to emphasize skill teaching, emotional processing, or a mix of both, and the plan can change as progress is made. Online sessions offer flexibility for people with busy calendars or limited local options. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when video is difficult or bandwidth is low. Live chat and text-based messaging are available for brief check-ins, written reflections, or when someone prefers typing to speaking. These options help make consistent therapy more practical and easier to fit into daily life.Start online instead of waiting
Our partner service asks a few questions about what you are looking for and matches you with a therapist for sessions from home.
Book with DavidWe will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.
Common questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
What is his therapy style like?
What experience does he bring?
What are his credentials and where is he based?
Which languages are available for sessions?
What session formats does he use?
How is cost handled?
How do I begin working with him?
A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you. Entries are not assessed or endorsed by this directory.
Other entries for stress, anxiety
Supportive LCSW helping people build strength and clarity
Practical, trauma-aware therapy for everyday life
Practical, relational therapy for life transitions