Dr. Andrea Shirley is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 27 years of experience in California. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strains, and concerns about self esteem. Her style is warm and straightforward, aimed at helping clients take practical steps toward feeling more capable and calm.
She believes clients are experts on their own lives and brings a respectful, supportive presence to sessions. She helps people notice strengths they may be overlooking and use those strengths to solve problems. Small, concrete changes are often part of her work together with clients.
Her background includes long experience with trauma and abuse, grief, and issues around intimacy and communication. She also addresses caregiving stress, chronic health challenges, and work or career strain. This broad experience lets her adapt conversations to many life situations.
Dr. Shirley uses client-centered methods that follow each person’s pace and priorities. She also draws on narrative and solution-focused ideas to reframe difficult stories and set achievable goals. Trauma-focused approaches are used when past events affect present functioning.
If you are looking for steady support while you sort through life changes, she aims to offer clear guidance without pressure. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking to make sure the format fits their needs.
How these approaches guide online therapy
Client-Centered Therapy puts the client’s experience first. The therapist listens closely and follows the client’s pace, helping people clarify what matters most and decide next steps. This approach is useful for dealing with stress, relationship problems, and self esteem concerns.
Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves. It helps separate a person from a problem by noticing patterns in how their story is told and then rewriting parts that feel stuck. This can be helpful for issues like trauma, attachment concerns, and feeling defined by a single event.
Solution-Focused Therapy zeroes in on small, practical changes that move someone toward their goals. Sessions often set short-term targets and track progress, which can be helpful for sleep problems, anger, and making career or life transitions.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to identify goals, try a method, and adjust the plan as needed. Clients and the therapist shape the work together based on what is helpful.
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also make it simpler to maintain continuity of care during life transitions.
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, self esteem, trauma and grief, intimacy-related struggles, sleep and anger concerns, career stress, and related life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is client-centered and respectful, aiming to help people use their own strengths. She combines narrative and solution-focused ideas to reframe problems and set short-term goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 27 years of professional work experience helping people with a wide range of concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she located?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, licensed in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Use the continue button on this profile, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
