Dr. Andrea Shirley , LMFT

Dr. Andrea Shirley is a California-licensed therapist with 27 years of professional experience. She holds the credential LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) and offers experienced, compassionate care for people navigating difficult life moments.

Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including stress and anxiety, LGBTQ+ related issues, relationship and family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem and intimacy-related matters, sleep difficulties, anger, career and life transitions, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and coping with chronic pain or illness. Additional areas of focus include abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment and blended family dynamics, body image, caregiving stress, commitment and communication challenges, dissociation, and divorce or separation.

Dr. Shirley approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, honoring each person as the expert of their own story and helping them identify resources they already possess. She believes that seeking help is a courageous step and provides supportive, collaborative guidance to help clients clarify goals and move toward a more fulfilling life. Services are offered in English and she is accepting clients in California.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Andrea Shirley draws on client-centered, narrative, and solution-focused approaches to guide online therapy in a practical, person-focused way. Client-Centered Therapy centers on the client’s experience, offering a respectful, nonjudgmental space where a person’s own goals and strengths lead the work - this approach is helpful for building self-esteem, processing life changes, and managing anxiety.

Narrative Therapy helps people examine and reframe the stories they tell about themselves, separating problems from identity and opening new possibilities for relationships and personal meaning. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on clear goals and tangible steps, emphasizing what is already working and how to build on small successes to address stress, career concerns, and daily coping.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Andrea Shirley collaborates with each client to identify which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts techniques as progress unfolds. Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility and make consistent care more accessible for people with busy schedules or mobility limits. These formats support ongoing communication, timely check-ins, and practical problem-solving while working toward meaningful change with a licensed professional.