Dr. Andrea Shirley, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Andrea

Dr. Andrea Shirley greets people who are worried about family strain, relationship tension, or life transitions. She focuses on making conversations straightforward and practical.

She frames clients as the experts in their own lives and looks for strengths to build on. Dr. Shirley is a licensed marriage and family therapist who draws on many years of practice to support people through change.

She uses clear, directed conversations to help people reduce stress and manage anxiety.

Background and approach

For clients facing grief, trauma, or intimacy concerns she offers ways to make small shifts that add up over time. Issues like sleep troubles, anger, career stress, and compassion fatigue are addressed with steps that can be tried between sessions. Her work also covers concerns around identity and LGBT matters, ADHD, and challenges related to caregiving, chronic illness, or aging.

She helps people dealing with blended family difficulties, attachment questions, divorce or separation, and adoption or foster care topics. The goal is to find practical moves that fit each person’s life and values. Dr.

Shirley blends several counseling styles to match what a person needs. She listens closely, helps reframe stories people tell about themselves, and looks for achievable solutions. Over 27 years she has developed an approach that stays focused on what will make daily life feel better.

Based in California, Dr. Shirley conducts sessions in English and offers a mix of realtime and message-based session formats. She encourages a collaborative pace so people can try options and adjust as they go.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Family and Life Concerns

Dr. Andrea Shirley commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy when working online. Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the person’s needs and strengths, offering a nonjudgmental space to talk through problems and decide next steps. Solution-Focused Therapy narrows attention to practical goals and small, concrete changes that can reduce stress and improve daily routines.

She also draws on Narrative Therapy when helpful, which involves looking at the stories people tell about themselves and finding new ways to describe their lives. This can be useful for changing patterns that maintain anxiety, low self-esteem, or family tensions. Choosing the right approach is part of the work; she collaborates with clients to pick methods that match goals, preferences, and what feels most useful in practice.

Online formats offered include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving needs, or geographic constraints. Many people find that the mix of realtime sessions and messaging helps them try new skills between meetings and stay connected to support as life changes.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Narrative Therapy

Looking at the story you have come to tell about yourself, and where it came from. The work is in separating the problem from your identity and finding accounts that fit you better.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, grief, trauma and intimacy issues among many other topics listed in her profile.

What is her general therapy style?

Her approach is collaborative and practical. She listens closely, helps reframe personal stories, and identifies small steps clients can try between sessions.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 27 years of professional work experience in the field of mental health.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, CA LMFT 42752, and practices in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats does she offer?

Sessions can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How are fees handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 27 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

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