Shirley Southard , LCMHC

Shirley Southard brings two decades of experience in the human services field to her work with individuals and families. She has supported people across mental health, developmental disability, and substance use challenges, and has experience with assisted medication management and with active duty military members and their families. Her practice centers on helping clients identify practical changes that create hope for the future and build a more satisfying daily life.

Shirley emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental approach and provides a listening presence that helps clients feel accepted as they are while they explore difficult issues. She works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes. Her additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, communication and control problems, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, impulsivity, isolation, and veteran-related concerns among others.

She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is a licensed mental health counselor (LCMHC - a state license to practice mental health counseling). Shirley also has credentials to supervise substance abuse treatment. She uses evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and psychoeducation, and finds particular reward in working with both adults and children to support meaningful, sustainable change.

Approaches and Online Care for Practical Change

Shirley integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) alongside client-centered techniques to support clients online. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and problematic coping such as substance use. DBT teaches skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for impulsivity, intense emotions, and relationship challenges. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration, helping clients feel understood and supported as they explore goals, grief, and life transitions.

Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Shirley works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan over time based on what is working.

Online therapy with Shirley can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible access to licensed professionals. These options make it easier to attend sessions from different locations, fit counseling into busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care during life changes.