Shirley Smith
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I support individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship conflicts, intergenerational trauma, and cultural challenges. I offer a holistic, integrative approach grounded in the belief that your lived experience drives our work, supported by my clinical expertise.
Therapy is a collaborative process, so I will never force a direction you aren't ready to take; instead, I am here to gently encourage the steps you are willing to take and help you build momentum.
My therapeutic approach is collaborative, direct, and deeply empathetic. I aim to create a space of open reflection where your voice always leads, and where heavy emotions can be explored safely and without haste.
First session
Your first session is a low-pressure space for us to see how it feels to talk together and begin building trust. I know how daunting it can feel to share vulnerable parts of your life with someone you’ve just met, and I respect the courage it takes to show up. We’ll cover some background details and start discussing what brings you into care.
Strengths
My strength lies in taking the time to truly get to know you as the expert of your own life, helping you identify what is and isn't serving you well. My role is to guide and empower you to make the choices that align best with your goals. Therapy is a collaborative process, so I will never force a direction you aren't ready to take; instead, I am here to gently encourage the steps you are willing to take and help you build momentum. I recognize that therapy takes immense courage and can often feel challenging. I provide a safe, supportive environment where you can freely express your emotions, work through negative thought patterns, and simply be yourself.
Ideal clients
I work primarily with adults navigating the weight of a harsh inner critic, shame, guilt, or overwhelming emotions—often stemming from past trauma or challenging life experiences. My ideal clients are ready to build trust, lean into vulnerability, and actively engage in their healing process. Growth is rarely linear, and I honor that therapy, much like life, includes both breakthroughs and setbacks. If you carry a strong inner critic, we will work together to build the tools needed to challenge and reframe those self-critical thoughts. Whatever emotions you are carrying, I provide a compassionate, safe space where you can feel them fully and heal at your own pace.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I help clients identify negative core beliefs—the deep-seated assumptions about ourselves often formed in childhood. Rather than suppressing these thoughts, which only reinforce them, we begin by acknowledging their presence and honoring the emotions they bring up. Creating space to feel difficult emotions is essential, especially since we are so rarely given permission to do so. Once these underlying patterns are out in the open, we use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to challenge and reframe them. Together, we work on replacing rigid, self-limiting thoughts with grounded, balanced statements that feel genuinely authentic and believable to you.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I help clients embrace all parts of themselves—even as they work toward personal growth and change. True transformation begins with self-acceptance, which paves the way toward building self-worth and self-love. During difficult or overwhelming moments, I teach mindfulness skills to help you stay grounded in the present, unhooking you from racing worries and negative thoughts. Together, we will also clarify your core values, empowering you to make choices that align with the life you truly want to live.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 113518