Shelly Mentus
Relationship-focused counselor who emphasizes practical change
LMHC Florida
- Experience
- 15 years in practice
- Focus areas
- Addictions, Relationship, Intimacy-related issues
- Approaches
- Gottman Method, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Languages
- English
About Shelly
Shelly Mentus is a Florida licensed mental health counselor with 15 years of experience. She helps people facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and parenting stress.
Background and approach
Her work includes support for addiction, trauma, grief, and career or life-purpose questions. Shelly focuses on practical change in sessions.
She listens without judgment and helps clients notice patterns that hold them back. She uses clear, doable steps so people can try new ways of handling stress, anger, and communication problems.
Her approach draws on several methods to match each person’s needs. That includes the Gottman Method for relationship work, acceptance and commitment techniques to reduce avoidance, and cognitive behavioral tools to shift unhelpful thinking.
She mixes skills training and conversation to address intimacy issues, codependency, and family of origin concerns. Shelly has supported clients through substance use challenges, infidelity, caregiver stress, and feelings of emptiness or isolation.
She also helps people rebuild self-esteem after trauma, cope with loss, and work through forgiveness, guilt, or shame. Sessions aim to increase connection and practical coping skills.
Clients can expect a calm, steady presence and straightforward guidance. Shelly meets people where they are and focuses on small, sustainable changes.
Outside of work, she enjoys travel, movies, and time with family and friends.
How evidence-based approaches translate to online therapy
Gottman Method work focuses on improving communication and emotional connection in close relationships. Online sessions can use the same conversation exercises and skill-building to address trust, conflict habits, and intimacy concerns.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful avoidance and take small actions that match their values. In remote sessions this often looks like short experiments and mindfulness exercises you can practice between meetings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets thoughts and behaviors that fuel anxiety and depression. Through video or messaging, CBT involves tracking thought patterns, testing assumptions, and trying new behaviors in real situations.
Shelly approaches choice of method as a collaborative process. She will review your goals and preferences, explain the approaches that fit, and adapt techniques as work progresses. Finding the right fit is often part of the early sessions rather than a one-time decision.
Online formats offer flexibility for different needs. Video calls work well when visual cues and real-time interaction matter, while phone sessions can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging allow shorter check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, and easier scheduling during busy days. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent and practical for daily life.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems can be addressed in therapy?
What is her style and therapeutic approach?
How much experience does she have?
What are her credentials and location?
In which languages are sessions offered?
Which session formats are available?
How are fees handled?
How do I begin working with her?
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Licensed in
Florida
Languages
English