Shirley Southard, LCMHC - Therapist in North Carolina

About Shirley

Shirley Southard is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with 20 years of experience. She focuses on family and parenting concerns along with stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, and coping with life changes. Shirley aims to create a warm, nonjudgmental space where people can talk and be heard.

She emphasizes practical steps families and parents can try between sessions to ease daily pressures. Shirley draws on straightforward therapy methods to help people make changes that matter.

Background and approach

She listens first, then works with each person to set clear goals. Sessions often include skills practice, education about how symptoms work, and motivation to try new approaches. Her background includes work across mental health, developmental disability, and substance use settings.

She has provided assisted medication management and supported active military members and their families. That variety informs a flexible approach to common family challenges and parenting stresses. Shirley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Mindfulness strategies in her work.

These are used to help with mood, impulse control, and relationship patterns that affect family life. Her training and hands-on experience guide practical, reachable steps for change. Shirley holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is credentialed as LCMHC, NC LCMHC 11871.

She practices from North Carolina and offers services in English. Her aim is to help people move toward more hopeful, manageable days.

Therapy approaches and online support for family life

Shirley commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing with people seeking help for parenting and family stresses. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and trying concrete new strategies that reduce anxiety and improve mood. Motivational Interviewing helps people find personal reasons to change and increases willingness to try new habits in daily life.

She also integrates Client-Centered Therapy, which centers on listening and accepting each person without judgment. That approach helps parents and family members feel understood while they work toward goals. Choosing the right mix of approaches is collaborative; Shirley will discuss options, consider your needs and preferences, and adjust methods as work progresses.

Online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy family schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation from home, phone sessions are available when video isn't convenient, and live chat or text messaging can support quick check-ins or ongoing coaching between sessions. These options offer flexibility so families can maintain continuity of care around work, school, and caregiving demands.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Shirley support?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family matters, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, and coping with life changes.

What is her general therapy style?

She emphasizes listening and a nonjudgmental stance. Sessions focus on clear goals, practical skills, and steps people can try between appointments.

What experience does she bring?

Shirley has 20 years of experience working in mental health, developmental disability, and substance use settings, including assisted medication management and work with active military members and their families.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, NC LCMHC 11871, practicing in North Carolina.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

What session formats does she offer?

Therapy can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How is cost handled?

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

How do I begin work with her?

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

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Anger management

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: North Carolina
Languages: English

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