Sheila Funk-Jansen , LCSW, LISW

Sheila Funk-Jansen is a licensed social worker with more than 25 years of clinical experience supporting people through anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, family conflict, and many other life challenges. She earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2003 and holds professional licenses as an LCSW and an LISW - the LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the LISW is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Her training and long practice inform a practical, compassionate approach that emphasizes personal resilience and growth.

Sheila works from the belief that people can move past the barriers life puts in their way and that change often starts with learning - learning about oneself and letting go of comfortable patterns that no longer serve. She meets each person where they are, helping them take manageable steps toward clearer thinking, healthier relationships, and increased coping skills. Her areas of focus include stress and anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and blended-family concerns, career questions, and coping with major life transitions such as illness or loss.

Clinically, Sheila integrates approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing alongside client-centered methods to tailor care to each individual. She values the therapeutic alliance as the foundation for honest, nonjudgmental work and aims to create a space where vulnerability and strength can coexist. Sheila schedules appointments throughout the week and occasionally on weekends, and she strives to be as flexible as possible to accommodate client needs.

How Sheila's Approaches Translate to Online Therapy

Sheila uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a collaborative relationship where the client’s experience leads the work - this approach focuses on empathy, respect, and supporting a person’s own goals, which can help with issues like self-esteem, relationship concerns, and coping with change.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns; CBT is practical and skills-focused, and it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and problem-solving around daily challenges.

Motivational Interviewing is another tool Sheila employs when ambivalence or readiness for change becomes a barrier; this method helps people clarify their motivation and commit to steps that align with their values. Together, these approaches are adapted to each person’s needs rather than applied rigidly.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Sheila works with clients to determine what fits best based on their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. That collaboration guides which methods are emphasized and how sessions are structured.

Online therapy with Sheila uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to offer flexibility and easier access to care. These options allow people to schedule sessions around work, family, and other responsibilities, and they make ongoing support more manageable during life transitions and busy periods.