- Client-focused care
- Practical goal setting
- Trauma-informed approach
About Andrea
Dr. Andrea Shirley is a California-based licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 27 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, and relationship or intimacy concerns. She also supports those coping with chronic illness, caregiving strain, identity questions related to LGBT issues, and life changes that feel overwhelming.
She approaches work from a belief that each person knows their story best. Sessions focus on listening to what matters to the client and building on existing strengths. The tone is collaborative and practical, with attention to immediate concerns and longer-term goals.
Her background includes extensive clinical work across relationship and family-related issues, trauma and abuse, and challenges like sleep disruption, anger, and compassion fatigue. That experience informs how she helps people make small, manageable changes that can improve daily functioning and emotional balance.
Dr. Shirley uses a mix of approaches tailored to the client's needs. She draws on client-centered methods to follow the client's lead, narrative work to reframe difficult stories, and solution-focused ideas to set achievable goals. Trauma-focused methods are used when past hurts need direct attention.
People working with her can expect a respectful, steady process that emphasizes what the client brings to healing. The first steps are usually to identify pressing problems, set clear short-term goals, and choose practical strategies to meet them.
She approaches work from a belief that each person knows their story best. Sessions focus on listening to what matters to the client and building on existing strengths. The tone is collaborative and practical, with attention to immediate concerns and longer-term goals.
Her background includes extensive clinical work across relationship and family-related issues, trauma and abuse, and challenges like sleep disruption, anger, and compassion fatigue. That experience informs how she helps people make small, manageable changes that can improve daily functioning and emotional balance.
Dr. Shirley uses a mix of approaches tailored to the client's needs. She draws on client-centered methods to follow the client's lead, narrative work to reframe difficult stories, and solution-focused ideas to set achievable goals. Trauma-focused methods are used when past hurts need direct attention.
People working with her can expect a respectful, steady process that emphasizes what the client brings to healing. The first steps are usually to identify pressing problems, set clear short-term goals, and choose practical strategies to meet them.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Trauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
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
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
27+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
How these approaches shape online therapy
Client-centered therapy means the therapist follows the client's lead, listening closely and adjusting pace to what the person needs. This approach helps when someone wants space to tell their story and set their own priorities.Narrative therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and their lives. It helps reframe painful experiences so clients can find new meaning and options for moving forward.
Solution-focused therapy emphasizes small, practical steps and clear short-term goals. This is useful for people who want tangible changes they can notice quickly, like improved sleep, reduced anxiety, or better communication patterns.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work with the client to figure out which strategies match their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaboration includes checking what helps and shifting focus as progress happens.
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Some people prefer video for face-to-face connection, while others use audio for a simpler check-in or when bandwidth is limited. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for scheduling and daily life.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does this therapist address?
Dr. Shirley helps people with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and issues related to LGBT identity. She also supports those dealing with chronic pain or illness, caregiver stress, and career or life transitions.
What is the general therapy style here?
Sessions prioritize the client's perspective and strengths. The work is collaborative, practical, and focused on achievable steps to reduce distress and build resilience.
How much clinical experience does the therapist have?
Dr. Andrea Shirley has 27 years of professional experience providing therapy in a range of settings and with varied concerns.
What are the therapist's credentials and where are they based?
The therapist holds a California licensed marriage and family therapist credential, listed as LMFT, and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with this therapist?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.