Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
- Depression
How Shirley works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Years in practice
- 8
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Shirley
Shirley Semel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) who blends practical, person-centered care with focused strategies to help people manage anger, stress, and relationship strain. She invites clients to speak openly and without judgment. Her approach aims to build trust quickly so concerns can be addressed right away.
Shirley uses Client-Centered Therapy to listen closely and follow each person’s pace. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and change reactions.
Background and approach
These methods are used to address anxiety, depression, addiction-related concerns, grief, and problems with sleep or eating. In sessions she looks at patterns that keep people stuck and works with them to try new ways of responding. That can mean practicing different communication habits, shifting daily routines, or setting clearer boundaries.
She has experience running groups focused on anger management, domestic violence, and relapse prevention. Shirley has eight years of experience and practices in California. Her work includes supporting people dealing with caregiving stress, chronic illness or pain, blended family challenges, and family-of-origin issues.
She also offers faith-informed support for those who find spiritual perspective helpful. Sessions are offered in English and conducted through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Shirley helps people take the next step by focusing on small, manageable changes that add up to real relief.
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
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
- Depression
- Addictions
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Women's issues
Approaches Shirley lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches for online care
Shirley combines Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in online sessions. Client-Centered Therapy means she listens with empathy and follows each person’s pace, helping them feel heard and understood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on spotting and changing thoughts that lead to anger, anxiety, or low mood, and practicing new responses.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Shirley treats decision-making about methods as a collaboration. She will discuss goals, try strategies, and adjust the plan based on what is most helpful to the client.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video lets people use visual cues and mirror in-person conversation. Phone sessions can be quicker check-ins or a good fit when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging allow shorter, more frequent exchanges and fit busy schedules or moments when writing feels easier.
Questions people ask about Shirley
What concerns does Shirley often address?
She helps with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, addiction issues, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family difficulties, sleep and eating concerns, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Shirley blends Client-Centered care with cognitive-behavioral techniques and psychodynamic ideas. She listens closely, identifies unhelpful thought patterns, and works on practical steps clients can try between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings eight years of clinical experience, including facilitating groups for anger management, domestic violence, and addiction relapse prevention.
What credentials and location apply to her practice?
She holds the LMFT credential as a California LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available online?
Shirley offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Shirley?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.