Shell Freeman

Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes

LMSW Michigan

Experience: 9 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Shell

Shell Freeman is a licensed social worker (LMSW) practicing in Michigan with nine years of clinical experience.

Background and approach

She draws on a range of evidence-informed methods, including cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment strategies, dialectical behavior skills, emotionally-focused principles, and client-centered care to address a broad spectrum of concerns such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief, and ADHD. Her work emphasizes collaboration and adaptability, creating treatment plans tailored to each person's needs and preferences.

Shell approaches clients with respect and sensitivity, combining practical skill-building with exploration of emotions and relational patterns to help people manage stress, improve self-esteem, navigate relationship and intimacy issues, and cope with life transitions.

She also brings experience supporting people through family and blended family challenges, parenting stress, caregiver strain, gender dysphoria and LGBTQ-related concerns, grief, and difficulties arising from past abuse or trauma. Shell accepts international clients and offers multiple session formats to accommodate different schedules and communication preferences.

Approaches that guide online sessions and what they do

Shell frequently uses cognitive behavioral techniques and acceptance and commitment strategies in her online work. Cognitive behavioral approaches focus on identifying thought and behavior patterns that contribute to distress and on building practical skills to change them, often helping with anxiety, depression, and impulsivity. Acceptance and commitment therapy emphasizes values-based action and increasing psychological flexibility, which can be useful for people coping with persistent worry, grief, or identity-related stress.

She also integrates client-centered principles, offering a supportive, nonjudgmental stance that prioritizes the client's experience and goals. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and she collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit best based on their needs, goals, and preferences rather than applying a single model for everyone.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to maximize accessibility and convenience. These options make it easier to schedule around work, caregiving, and travel, while allowing ongoing skill practice between appointments and flexible ways to check in when life gets busy.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?

She supports people managing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem, eating concerns, parenting and career challenges among other areas.

What is the therapist's general approach and style?

The clinician uses a genuine, interactive style that blends cognitive behavioral techniques with ACT, DBT, EFT and client-centered methods to build collaborative, adaptable plans focused on practical skills and emotional insight.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

Shell Freeman has nine years of experience as a mental health professional working with a wide range of mental health and relational concerns.

What are the therapist's credentials and where are they located?

She holds an LMSW credential and is based in Michigan. The documented license detail is MI LMSW 6801107854.

Can I work with this therapist if I live outside the country?

Yes, she accepts international clients and is available to work with people outside the United States.

Which session formats are offered?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility in how people connect.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

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

What is the process for beginning therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteem

Also works with

Addictions Trauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationFamily problemsForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / loneliness Mood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

9+ years

Licensed

Michigan

Languages

English