David Shirly, LMHC

Florida · 10 years in practice

David Shirly is a licensed mental health counselor who centers his work on Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside other practical methods.

License and registration

LMHC, Florida: MH18828 · expires March 2027
LMHC, New York: 017927 · expires April 2029
NPI: 1316539893 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 10
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About David

David Shirly is a licensed mental health counselor who centers his work on Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside other practical methods. He offers straightforward guidance for people facing anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, and relationship challenges. David communicates in plain language and focuses on concrete steps clients can use between sessions.

He draws on ten years of clinical work to help clients understand patterns that keep them stuck. Sessions focus on how emotions shape behavior and close relationships, and on building small habits that reduce overwhelm.

Background and approach

He also addresses sleep problems, low self-esteem, attention concerns, and issues tied to intimacy and attachment. David blends client-centered listening with cognitive behavioral tools and mindfulness exercises. This mix aims to make therapy feel collaborative and useful from the start.

He often uses skills practice, gentle tracking of moods, and simple experiments to test new ways of relating and coping. People who reach out can expect a steady, nonjudgmental presence and practical strategies for daily life. He helps with parenting stress, caregiver strain, and problems with communication and boundaries.

David also supports people working through substance use, trauma-related concerns, and recovery from relationship ruptures. Sessions are offered in English and are available to people in Florida as well as international clients. He holds LMHC credentials in New York and Florida and tailors his work to each person's goals and circumstances.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything David lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues
Anger management
Depression
Trauma and abuse
Intimacy-related issues
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Self esteem
ADHD
Abandonment
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
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
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
Personality disorders
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sex addiction
Sexual dysfunction
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Approaches David names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Emotion-focused care brought online

David commonly uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people identify and change painful emotional patterns in relationships and personal life. EFT focuses on the feelings behind behaviors and helps clients notice and respond differently to strong emotions. Client-Centered Therapy is another part of his work and emphasizes listening, empathy, and meeting each person where they are so they feel heard and understood.

He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to break down unhelpful thoughts and build practical coping skills for anxiety, depression, and stress. Together these approaches allow a mix of deep emotional work and hands-on skill practice, and the therapist works with the client to find the best fit based on goals and preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for longer sessions and face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat works for brief check-ins, and text messaging supports ongoing skills practice and quick reflections between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules while keeping sessions focused on concrete change.

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Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does David address?

He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, parenting stress, ADHD, and trauma and abuse.

How would you describe his therapy style?

He uses a compassionate, collaborative approach that blends Emotionally-Focused Therapy with client-centered listening and practical skill-building from CBT and DBT.

What is his professional background?

He has ten years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns and focuses on helping clients develop coping skills and stronger relationships.

Where is he licensed and based?

He holds LMHC credentials in New York and Florida and practices from Florida while also working with international clients.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How are sessions paid for and what is the cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How does someone begin working with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

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