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William D. Shepard, Ph.D.

 

Welcome to My Practice

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Seeking support to improve your mental and behavioral health is a meaningful and often courageous step, and choosing the right therapist matters. As a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Dallas, TX, I work with adults (18+) dealing with everything from the everyday ways our thoughts can get in the way of our living a fulfilling life, to complex mental and behavioral health conditions.

 

A Foundation Built on Science, Training and Experience

 

My clinical approach is grounded in rigorous scientific training. I earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Texas, a program structured on the "scientist-practitioner" model—ensuring that the care I provide is deeply informed by rigorous and current psychological research and proven clinical methods.

 

To further specialize, I trained for 2.5-years in the post-doctoral fellowship in Geriatrics Psychology at the UNT Health Science Center, focusing on cognitive health, memory disorders, and complex mental and behavioral health needs of older adults. Across my pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training, I logged over 3,500 hours of supervised clinical experience, alongside rigorous national and state examinations required to earn a license for independent practice in Texas.

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Beyond patient care, I spent over seven years teaching college courses in abnormal psychology. Translating complex clinical concepts for students helped shape the way I work today: clear, thoughtful, and grounded in real understanding.

 

How We Can Work Together

 

Therapy works best when deep clinical expertise and experience meet genuine human connection. From managing a long-standing diagnosis, to addressing new or unexpected challenges in your life, to simply feeling stuck in how you view yourself and interact with the world, I am here to

help you navigate it with clarity and compassion.

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If you want to know more about my practice, feel free to follow the links below or to the right. If you have questions or need additional information, feel free to contact me via our contact page above. 

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My Practice


In my office-based practice, I focus on two main areas: psychotherapy, and assessment.

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Psychotherapy

MY PRACTICE
PSYCHOTHERAPY
MENS ISSUES
GAY & LESBIAN ISSUES
SUBSTANACE ABUSE

When it comes to psychotherapy (often just called "talk therapy"), I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every person walks through my door with a unique story, so I draw from a mix of proven therapeutic styles to tailor treatment to what each individual actually needs:

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  • Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT): This is the foundation of much of my work. The core idea is simple yet powerful: how we think heavily influences how we feel and act. By working together to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, we can create meaningful, positive changes in your daily behavior.

  • Humanistic & Existential Perspectives: I pair CBT with humanistic and existential approaches to look at the bigger picture of your life. Humanistic psychology is all about helping you unlock your full potential within what I call a "no-judgment zone" of genuine warmth and acceptance. Existential therapy complements this by helping you step back, reflect on what truly matters, and use a whole-person perspective to figure out where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you want to be.

  • Integrative Techniques: Depending on what you are navigating, I also weave in other valuable perspectives when they can help—such as psychodynamic insights, family systems theory, social learning, positive psychology, and mindfulness practices.

 

Ultimately, therapy with me is a collaboration in a safe space, where deep clinical experience and expertise meet practical, down-to-earth conversations. Among the most common issues I help people address in psychotherapy include: 

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Men's Issues

Men are often reluctant to seek help—frequently coping through alcohol or drugs, delaying care until a crisis hits, or receiving advice from people who don’t truly understand men's experiences. Beyond clinical conditions like depression, anxiety, or anger, men also face pressures around traditional masculinity, achievement, and societal expectations. Therapy with a clinician who truly understands these unique dynamics provides a safe space to work through them effectively.

 

Support for Women’s Issues

While my practice primarily focuses on men's experiences, I am a firm pro-feminist advocate. I recognize the ongoing injustices women face and acknowledge that traditional models of manhood can harm both women and men. I actively support social progress and equality.

 

Gay and Lesbian Issues

Research consistently shows higher rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use among gay men and lesbian women. These struggles do not stem from sexual orientation itself, but from living in a society marked by prejudice, discrimination, rejection, and stigma. Managing an HIV-positive status can add further layers of isolation and bias—even within the community. In my practice, you will find a safe, affirming, and culturally informed space where your identity is respected and supported.

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Substance Misuse and Abuse 

One thing we know for certain…Americans abuse all kinds of drugs. In 2025—the last year for which we have a fully-analyzed data set—69.8 million (or 24%) of Americans aged 12 and over reported abusing one or more drugs during the past year (“abuse” defined as using any illegal drug, or abusively misusing any legal drug). Misuse and abuse of many drugs---alcohol in particular---increased significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and hasn't yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. I support harm reduction, moderation management and, when indicated, abstinence from substance misuse and abuse. 

 

Process Addictions

While substance abuse relies on natural or synthetic chemicals to alter brain chemistry and behavior, a process addiction centers on compulsions around specific behaviors—such as gambling, sex, eating, pornography, spending, or romantic relationships. Just like chemical dependencies, process addictions involve intense psychological dependence, obsessive thinking, and a powerful drive to repeat the behavior despite serious negative consequences. In many cases, substance abuse and behavioral addictions overlap. Fortunately, many of the same evidence-based therapeutic tools used to treat substance abuse are equally effective in helping gain control over process addictions.

 

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression frequently go hand in hand—in fact, about half of people diagnosed with depression also meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. As the most common mental/behavioral health problem in the U.S., anxiety affects nearly 20% (over 40 million) of adults in any given year. Yet despite highly effective treatments, only about one-third of those affected by anxiety actually seek professional care. With depression, around 20% of U.S. adults will experience some type of depressive disorder in their lifetimes, making it the leading cause of disability for adults up to age 44.

Both conditions heavily feature "cognitive distortions"—unhelpful, distorted patterns in how we view ourselves and the world. The good news is that both anxiety and depression respond remarkably well to modern psychotherapy (often focusing on shifting these thought patterns) as well as medication prescribed by a medical provider when indicated.

 

Additional Areas of Focus

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Workplace and Career Issues

Career concerns take many forms. I frequently help individuals navigate:

  • Workplace conflicts and personality clashes with co-workers

  • Feelings of being unsupported, unappreciated, or exploited by management

  • Concerns about being undermined by colleagues or blocked from advancement

  • Existential questions regarding career path alignment, fulfillment, and life calling

 

Aging and Life Transitions

I regularly help Gen Xers and younger Baby Boomers explore existential questions around meaning, purpose, and legacy. Many in this age group also face the "sandwich generation" stress of simultaneously supporting aging parents and young adult children—a dynamic that brings unique emotional and physical strains.

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Millennial-Specific Concerns

Although solidly Gen X myself, I understand well the distinct challenges facing the Millennial generation—a widely misunderstood and often unfairly maligned demographic. Now the largest and most influential adult generation in America, Millennials face both shared and unique life stressors as they shape modern society. Therapy provides a dedicated space to navigate these generational dynamics, identity questions, and personal goals.

Assessment

PROCESS ADDICTIONS
ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

All assessments are conducted individually, one-on-one in an office setting. A comprehensive assessment is invaluable because many mental and behavioral health conditions share overlapping symptoms. Many medical providers—while well-meaning—often lack specialized psychological training, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Treating the wrong condition wastes time and money on ineffective treatments and can even be harmful. A thorough, well-constructed evaluation ensures an accurate diagnosis right from the start.

 

Types of Assessments Provided:

  • Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is not just a childhood condition; it frequently persists throughout adolescence and into adulthood. More recently --- frequently attributed to the proliferation of portable electronic devices --- adult-onset ADHD has been diagnosed with increasing frequency. Because symptoms can easily be confused with anxiety or depression, comprehensive testing is essential to avoid overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis.

  • General Memory Disorders: Especially common in older adults, memory impairment can stem from anxiety, depression, head injuries, undiagnosed strokes, degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, or other medical factors that can degrade psychological functioning. Determining what the problem isn't is just as critical as identifying what it is.

  • Pre-Surgical & Health Psychology Evaluations: I evaluate the psychological factors that impact physical health and medical compliance. For example, individuals preparing for intensive medical procedures often require pre-surgical psychological evaluations to identify any factors that might complicate recovery or post-treatment adherence.

  • Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Evaluations: ESA evaluations determine whether a domesticated animal provides essential therapeutic benefit for an individual living with a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. Through a comprehensive clinical assessment, I evaluate whether an ESA accommodation letter is appropriate to support your emotional well-being and daily functioning. This evaluation focuses solely on legitimate clinical need, ensuring your documentation meets all Federal and Texas regulatory and ethical standards.

 

A Commitment to Scientific Rigor

I exclusively utilize standardized psychological tests with strong psychometric properties—meaning every tool I use is proven to be valid, reliable,

and capable of clearly distinguishing between distinct conditions. While comprehensive testing requires an investment of time and resources, the diagnostic clarity it provides is invaluable.

OTHER ISSUES
ASSESSMENT
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