Works with
How Shirley works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Montana
- Years in practice
- 18
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Shirley
Shirley Cayko is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Montana with 18 years of experience. She focuses on practical, down-to-earth help for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, or major life changes. Shirley emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and straightforward support from the first conversation.
She uses a client-centered approach, so sessions follow the client's pace and goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolkit for identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying new behaviors.
Background and approach
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills and mindfulness techniques are used when clients need tools to regulate strong emotions and manage stress. Shirley works with people dealing with trauma, abuse, relationship problems, LGBT concerns, bipolar challenges, and caregiving or health-related stress. She also assists with issues such as chronic illness, aging concerns, immigration-related stress, and feelings of emptiness or shame.
Conversations are straightforward and focused on what helps day to day. Her style is collaborative and practical. She will tailor conversations and plans to fit each person’s situation.
Sessions aim to build skills, improve coping, and create clearer next steps. Shirley recognizes that starting therapy takes courage. She supports each person through that first step and during the ongoing work of change.
What Shirley works with
Everything Shirley lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Shirley's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Avoidant personality
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Workplace issues
Approaches Shirley lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Shirley’s approaches work online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s priorities. Shirley listens closely, follows each person’s pace, and shapes sessions around their goals. This style helps when someone wants a supportive place to sort out feelings and make decisions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. Shirley uses CBT to help people identify unhelpful thinking and try practical behavior changes, which can ease anxiety, depression, or anger.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shirley will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest techniques that fit. Together they adjust the plan as progress is made and new needs appear.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video calls work well for deeper conversations and visual cues. Phone sessions can fit into a busy day and need less bandwidth. Live chat or text messaging can be used for quick check-ins or when shorter, written exchanges are more helpful. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel schedules while keeping the focus on skill-building and problem solving.
Questions people ask about Shirley
What concerns does Shirley help with?
She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, trauma and related life changes. Additional areas include relationship struggles, LGBT matters, bipolar challenges, and caregiving or health-related stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is respectful and practical. Conversations follow the client's pace and focus on real skills and clear next steps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of professional experience working with adults on a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, abbreviated LCSW, and practices in Montana.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for therapy?
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 Shirley?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.