About David
David Shellenbarger is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Michigan with 35 years of experience. He focuses on common struggles like anxiety, depression, grief, low self-esteem, and relationship difficulties. His style is calm and straightforward, and he helps people build practical coping skills.
He spent much of his career in school settings, so he knows how social and educational pressures affect mood and behavior. Over time he expanded to support adults facing workplace stress, caregiver strain, and major life transitions such as divorce or separation.
Background and approach
He listens for the everyday problems that make life harder and helps clients find clear next steps. Sessions emphasize better communication, reducing isolation, and tackling guilt and shame. He helps people work toward clearer goals and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Trauma and panic concerns are addressed with careful pacing and attention to how symptoms show up in daily life. David uses client-centered methods along with reality-oriented and rational-emotive approaches. These methods aim to change unhelpful thinking and build realistic behaviors that feel manageable.
He lays out options and works with each person to decide what to try. Therapy with him tends to be practical and down-to-earth. Expect direct, empathetic conversation and concrete tools you can use between sessions.
His background in schools and years of practice shape an approach that is patient-focused and results-oriented.
Evidence-based approaches and online care
David combines client-centered work with reality-based and rational-emotive methods. Client-centered work focuses on listening closely and shaping sessions around the person's priorities, which helps when someone feels stuck or unheard. Reality-oriented techniques concentrate on concrete choices and problem-solving to improve daily routines and decision-making. Rational-emotive approaches look at unhelpful beliefs and teach ways to test and change thoughts that lead to anxiety or lowered self-worth.Choosing an approach is a shared process. He talks with each person about their goals and preferences, then suggests methods to try. The plan can change over time as progress is reviewed and new needs appear, so therapy stays practical and personalized.
Online sessions offer flexibility and many ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and work well for skill practice. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit into a break at work. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief check-ins, follow-up notes, or when someone prefers written communication. These options make it easier to keep consistent momentum and access support from different settings.
Questions people ask
What kinds of problems does he help with?
What is his therapy style like?
How much experience does he bring?
Where is he licensed and based?
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Can international clients work with him?
What session formats are available?
How are fees and starting set up?
What this counselor works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
Also listed
- Experience
- 35 years
- Licensed
- Michigan
- Languages
- English