Dr. Shannon Derby , LMHC

Dr. Shannon Derby is a Florida-licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions. She works with adults who want clearer coping skills, stronger self-esteem, or help through major life changes. She also supports people facing grief, parenting strains, intimacy issues, and career or relationship concerns.

Her approach is straightforward and respectful. Conversations are shaped to each person's needs, with practical tools and steps to try between sessions. She listens carefully and helps people identify small changes that add up over time.

Dr. Derby draws on several therapeutic styles to fit different problems. She uses cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills when emotions feel overwhelming. Attachment-based work guides conversations about close relationships and patterns that repeat over time.

Sessions may include short skills practice, reflective discussion, and planning concrete next steps. Over time the goal is clearer priorities, better emotional regulation, and more reliable routines people can keep in daily life. She frames therapy as a collaborative process where the client’s goals lead the way.

She practices in Florida as an LMHC - Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Sessions are offered in English and provided in formats such as video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. The initial match begins with a short questionnaire and scheduling based on therapist availability.

Therapeutic approaches tailored for online work

Dr. Derby commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside Client-Centered techniques. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking meaningful action even when uncomfortable feelings appear, which can help with anxiety and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns influence current behavior and helps people change how they connect with others. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and meeting each person where they are, allowing sessions to follow what matters most to the client.

Choosing an approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust as progress unfolds. That collaborative tone helps match methods to needs rather than sticking to a single style.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction for deeper conversation and skills coaching. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit brief updates, homework check-ins, or times when typing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or busy schedules while keeping treatment consistent.