Shirley Williams, LCSW, CSW - Therapist in Colorado

About Shirley

Shirley Williams greets people who are worried about family and relationship stress with calm, practical guidance. She listens for what matters most and helps families and parents make clearer choices. Her style is patient and curious, a steady presence when life feels overwhelming.

Shirley trained first in psychology and social work, with a Master of Social Work. She has 35 years of practice as a Colorado licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - and carries the CSW credential.

Background and approach

Early in her career she completed an intensive two-year program in family therapy and has kept learning since then. Her background includes work in health care, hospice, schools, foster care and adoption, and pregnancy services. She also has experience supporting people who care for those with disabilities, including their animal caregivers.

This mix of settings shaped her practical, real-world approach to problems like grief, trauma, stress, parenting, and communication struggles. Shirley integrates body-focused methods alongside talk therapy. She trained in massage and bodywork and blends somatic awareness with trauma-focused tools.

She also uses expressive tools such as sound, movement, and clay when they fit a client's needs. She is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy. These approaches are used to address trauma, chronic stress, and patterns that interfere with daily life.

Sessions are offered in English and are based in Colorado.

Approaches for trauma and family stress online

EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing uses guided bilateral stimulation while a person recalls distressing memories. It aims to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic memories and is often used for post-traumatic stress and trauma-related symptoms.

Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives. It helps people separate themselves from problems, identify unhelpful patterns, and rewrite personal narratives that support healthier choices and relationships.

Trauma-Focused Therapy centers on addressing the effects of trauma through both talking and body-aware methods. It brings attention to how trauma shows up in thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations and works to build coping and healing strategies.

Shirley approaches treatment as a collaborative process. She will work with each person to pick or combine methods that fit their needs, goals, and comfort level rather than assuming one single approach. Finding the right mix is part of the work together.

Online sessions give practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations and some expressive activities, phone sessions can be easier on busy days, and live chat or text-based messaging supports shorter check-ins or ongoing coaching. These options make it easier to fit therapy into family schedules and to stay connected even when in-person visits are difficult.

EMDR

A structured protocol used with distressing memories, pairing recall with guided attention tasks. Some therapists adapt it for video sessions; whether that fits is worth asking about directly.

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.

Trauma-Focused Therapy

Work that takes difficult past experience into account and moves at a pace you set, with attention to feeling steady before anything else. Being in your own space can make that easier for some people.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

Her work covers relationship and family challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, parenting, stress, ADHD, eating and sleeping issues, intimacy problems, and related struggles listed in her specialties.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She combines practical conversation with somatic awareness and expressive activities. Sessions can include movement, sound, or clay alongside talk-based work.

How long has she practiced?

She brings 35 years of professional experience, including work in hospice, schools, foster care and adoption, pregnancy services, and health care settings.

What credentials and region are listed?

She is a Colorado licensed clinical social worker - LCSW - and holds the CSW credential with CO LCSW CSW.00991632. She practices from Colorado.

What languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Which session formats are available?

Shirley offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.

How are costs and billing handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 35 years
Licensed: Colorado
Languages: English

Next step

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