Shirley Butler, LCSW - Therapist in Montana

About Shirley

Shirley Butler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of clinical experience. She trained at Salish Kootenai College and earned a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University. Shirley has practiced in community mental health and Tribal Behavioral Health and opened a independent practice in 2013.

She brings a long history of crisis work and routine therapy to her sessions. Her style is calm and curious. She focuses on listening first and building trust.

Background and approach

Shirley believes people know much about what they need and uses that knowledge to shape treatment. Sessions aim to clarify what matters most and create a practical plan together. Shirley uses several well-established approaches, including attachment-based work, client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior strategies, and emotionally focused techniques.

She also has EMDR training for processing traumatic memories and stress reactions. These tools are chosen to match what each person brings to therapy. Many clients bring experiences like anxiety, depression, grief, stress, parenting struggles, relationship troubles, trauma, self-esteem problems, anger, and life transitions.

Shirley also addresses issues such as abandonment, codependency, communication problems, forgiveness, and women’s concerns. She tailors the focus to the individual’s goals and comfort level. Shirley works from Montana and speaks English.

She draws on decades of practice in varied cultural settings and values collaboration and cultural awareness. Her approach is steady, respectful, and goal-oriented.

Approaches for online work and what to expect

Attachment-based work focuses on relationships and how early connections shape current patterns. It helps people who want to understand trust, closeness, and how they relate to others in everyday life.

Client-centered therapy emphasizes being heard without judgment. The therapist follows the client's lead, helps clarify goals, and supports self-directed change through steady, empathic listening.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It teaches practical skills to manage anxiety, mood, and unhelpful habits through structured steps and practice between sessions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Shirley will talk with each person about needs, goals, and preferences, and together they will decide which methods to try. This is a collaborative process and can shift as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it simpler to fit sessions into busy family schedules and to keep continuity when life gets hectic. The variety of formats supports different styles of communicating and lets people choose what feels most comfortable as they work toward their goals.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

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.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Shirley address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting struggles, relationship and family issues, bipolar concerns, self-esteem and life changes. Additional focuses include abandonment, codependency, communication problems, commitment issues, forgiveness, and women's issues.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her sessions begin with listening and building trust. Shirley collaborates with each person to make a clear, practical plan and adapts methods to fit individual needs.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 23 years of experience from community mental health, Tribal Behavioral Health, crisis on-call work, and a independent practice established in 2013.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - MT LCSW BBH-LCSW-LIC-815 and practices from Montana.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

What formats are available for sessions?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs.

How are costs and billing handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are needed to begin therapy?

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

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Abandonment
Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Career difficulties
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Coping with life changes
Depression
Family conflicts
Forgiveness
Grief
Parenting issues
Post-traumatic stress
Relationship issues
Self-love
Women's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 23 years
Licensed: Montana
Languages: English

Next step

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