(she/her)
"I offer a respectful, varied, and empathic approach to therapy. My goal is to work with you to identify personal strengths, develop and hone coping and problem solving methods, and create ways to establish and sustain mental and emotional balance. I fervently believe your struggles need not be your identity. I also provide comprehensive clinical supervision to MSW grads looking to prepare for the stringent LCSW exam. I offer a two-prong approach to supervision: preparing for the exam and honing clinical skills transferable to any practice setting. Fee for at least 100 hours of clinical supervision is negotiable. I offer varied appointment times: mornings, evenings, weekends. I try to work around your schedule. I treat clinical depression, mood disorders, workplace issues, repeat and situational stress/anxiety, trauma, and other issues. I provide care using different treatment modalities: CBT, DBT, Trauma Informed, EMDR, Group focused, Couples therapy and others. We are all unique, beautifully imperfect individuals. Let's work together to direct your path and learn from life's myriad of experiences. ""We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. We must do that which we think we cannot."" Eleanor Roosevelt
I encourage therapy to be a collaboration. I cannot make you do what you are unwilling to do. However, I will support any effort you make to take ownership of your care. You will not be walking this journey alone. It may not be easy, but you will be supported. I may challenge a thought or a statement, however it is not because I believe you are "wrong". It is because I want to offer a new and perhaps previously unrealized perspective to your issue. It can be incredibly beneficial to see issues through different lenses. That's how we learn and grow.
Active listening. Active listening. Active listening. Empathy is an empty gesture without active listening. Respect for one's individuality and uniqueness is paramount. No cookie cutter therapy will be utilized. My strengths involve developing, uncovering and rediscovering your own strengths. Let's take this journey together.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I find CBT provides skills to deal with unanticipated stressors as well as daily struggles. It allows the user to practice methods to regulate their emotional, behavioral, and psychological states. I also like to demonstrate these methods in real-time WITH the client. I am not a believer of therapy via "handouts", if you are looking for worksheets, I may not be the clinician for you. Please understand, handouts have utility, but talking with a person, getting to know the uniqueness of your existence, THAT's how I am able to develop a therapeutic relationship and help you along your journey.
Humanistic
Absolutely Humanistic. I believe that your struggles are uniquely yours which means they should not be treated as if "one size fits all". I like to work with you to develop individualized treatment methods. Collaboration is key. Your voice will be heard.
12 ratings with written reviews
April 6, 2026
She is so kind and genuine I can’t wait to continue my journey with her
April 1, 2026
Shirley very clearly shows dedication and passion to her work. She is not your typical therapist who might be overly validating and unabashedly supportive- she's willing to (respectfully) challenge your thinking and try to redirect your focus into finding different supports for yourself. I truly feel like I am being pushed in ways that benefit me and my goals, and I absolutely look forward to every visit with her.
March 31, 2026
Shirley is very intelligent, empowering, and authentic. She is really helping me on this journey of self healing.