I am a Licensed Professional Counselor through the Virginia Board of Counseling and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor through the Florida Department of Health. I have over 25 years experience working with individuals affected by a range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse. and sexually compulsive behaviors. I am a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor through the Virginia Board of Counseling and a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the Virginia Certification Board. I am also a Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider through the Virginia Board of Psychology and have provided treatment for individuals with sexually compulsive behaviors for over 20 years.
I strive to remain current in professional practices and treatment modalities by attending professional training and workshops and have achieved certifications as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and a Certified Clinical Anxiety Professional.
I tailor treatment modalities to the client's needs and preferences including cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, humanistic, and solution-focused brief therapy. I believe that treatment should be done in non-judgmental and safe environment.
Treatment can be both challenging and rewarding and I commend you for taking that first step and entrusting me to take that journey with you.
Additional areas of focus:LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Personality disorders, Phobias, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
Services offered
Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging
License information
FL LMHC MH17918
VA LPC 0701004762
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dorothy Charest. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
very patient and helpful. great listener with great advice
Written on Nov 21, 2025 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues
I appreciated Dorothy taking the time to listen to me and then challenge the beliefs that I had in my mind. She gave me a fresh perspective on the challenges I was facing and that's what I needed to get out of the funk I was in. I especially appreciate her willingness to answer any and all topics that I would throw out randomly during our conversation.
Written on Jul 29, 2025 after therapy with Dorothy for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coaching
First time in a long time I felt understood. Validated that I was going to be okay and that there was a reason we can understand together for why I was feeling as I was. It feels wonderful feeling hopeful and in control.
Written on Jun 26, 2025 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
She’s the best. She doesn't forget anything she knows me and remembers everything I tell her she has helped me so much I will continue to see her until I'm a lot better but I'd say I'm 90% better than when I started seeing her so I think she is the best she listens very carefully and she gives great advice and I can text her anytime I want to and she immediately gets back with me so that is a blessing with me I'm a panic attack patient so sometimes I really need to talk to somebody and she is always there for me thank you so much if they were 20 stars I'd give her 20
Written on May 13, 2024 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 years
Dorothy has been amazing. She has been helpful in her therapy as well as giving me someone to talk to. I am sometimes amazed at how well she seems to be able to read and understand me.
Written on Feb 28, 2024 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and self esteem
Dorothy is the absolute best. She’s helped me turn my life around and continues to help guide me to be the best version of myself possible.
Written on Jan 07, 2024 after therapy with Dorothy for 4 years and 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, and coaching
Dorothy is the best! She always responds quickly and gives good advice. 10/10 recommend :)
Written on Nov 22, 2023 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and addictions
Still appreciating the help from Dorothy!
Written on Jul 08, 2023 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 years and 5 months on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
She makes you feel right at home, chatting on phone, wants you to thrive ,exceptionally knowledgeable and right there when you need her, truly comforting support is a message away.
Written on Feb 26, 2023 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Please disregard my option regarding her response time, I mis-clicked it-she has been nothing but fast in her responses. 10/10.
Written on Feb 18, 2023 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 months on issues concerning intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
She’s the best
I’m thankful for her counseling
Written on Jan 20, 2023 after therapy with Dorothy for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and coaching
Dorothy has been a great fit for me as a therapist. She understands my needs and has been extremely helpful and supportive in my trauma recovery journey.
Written on Dec 21, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
She listens well and gives concise feedback
Written on Nov 17, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 10 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
She is very professional and extremely knowledgable. I really appreciate her helping me and encouraging me.
Written on Nov 12, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, and coaching
Dorothy does a great job, she is very skilled at helping you realize why you may react to certain situations and helps you with skills to deal with what ever issues you may be dealing with.
Written on Jul 25, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 years and 9 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and anger management
Thanks for everything!
Written on Jul 19, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 1 year on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, self esteem, and career difficulties
Dorothy is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and very easy to talk to. She understands the issues I’m dealing with and how best to help me work through them. I’m so glad I was matched up with her
Written on Jul 18, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, parenting issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Dorothy helped me make a ton of progress in 6 months before I unfortunately had to move out of her area of care. She's incredibly kind and patient but frank in a way that really works with my style. She helped me realize things about myself that I was unaware of or had been repressing for years. Best therapist I've ever had!
Written on Mar 10, 2022 after therapy with Dorothy for 5 months on issues concerning sleeping disorders, self esteem, and career difficulties
I'm a very practical person, but also very introspective. Dorothy's method of therapy appeals to my need to identify issues and develop a plan to overcome them and become a better version of myself.
Written on Dec 27, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Dorothy is kind, professional, approachable, and thorough. She quickly identified key areas in my life that I needed to make adjustments for my personal wellbeing and helped me come up with concrete steps. I greatly appreciate her time and dedication and her openness. I would strongly recommend her!
Written on Oct 22, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 7 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, career difficulties, coaching, and compassion fatigue
In the 2 sessions I have had, I already feel my issues are being discovered and as someone who did not think I had many problems I am quickly seeing everyone needs therapy!
Written on Aug 15, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem
Dorothy is a good listener, extremely patient,She always remembers what I had said to her in my last sessions, and it’s like we continue from that point forward. She remembers my concerns encourages me to engage in habits or practices that can help me. And I can see a difference since I started working with Dorothy.
Written on Jul 23, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, and anger management
Dorothy Shellman is a compassionate, knowledgeable, and insightful counselor who builds trust as she guides me to identify my core concerns and helps me discover solutions.
Written on May 19, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 9 months
Dorothy is extremely professional and knowledgeable. She is experienced in many different areas and I am grateful I get to work with her. Thanks Dorothy!
Written on Apr 21, 2021 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
I love my counselor, she’s amazing!
Written on Dec 01, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 6 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and intimacy-related issues
Dorothy is so empathetic, but also has a gentle way of helping me get to the root of my feelings quickly. Then helps me with doable strategies to help me cope. I’m really happy to have found her.
Written on Oct 11, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
I'm very grateful that Dorothy Shellman chose me to be one of her patients through Betterhelp. She's really great at working with me to see things in a different light, I've had many "aha" moments during our sessions and I feel as though we have just scratched the surface. I really enjoy our weekly conversations because I can tell that she's present with me, that she remembers all of our sessions, that she "knows" me even though we've never met in person. I can definitely say that I'm in a better place now than when I first started therapy and I have Dorothy to thank for that.
Written on Sep 21, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Very talented counselor who is direct and has a variety of tools and experience. Useful clinical insight.
Written on Aug 03, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 9 months on issues concerning grief, and anger management
This experience has been so much more than I thought it would be. I went in a bit skeptical but I am already experiencing results after only a few weeks. There's a ways to go but I am glad I have started on this path and I am glad that I am working with Dorothy. I feel she has my best interests in mind.
Written on May 24, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, and intimacy-related issues
Dorothy is great. Very candid and receptive, especially knowledgeable about my struggles. Very helpful insight. Grateful for her.
Written on Apr 20, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coaching
Dorothy does a great job. She is caring, responsive and compassionate.
Written on Apr 11, 2020 after therapy with Dorothy for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
She listens and gives great advice. Dorothy is very knowledgeable.
Written on Nov 11, 2019 after therapy with Dorothy for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and adhd
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