Dr. Andrea Shirley , LMFT

Dr. Andrea Shirley, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist practicing in California with 27 years of professional experience. She draws on decades of clinical work to support people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family challenges, LGBTQ+ related concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem struggles, sleep difficulties, anger, and life transitions. As an LMFT - which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - she combines training in family systems with an emphasis on each person’s unique strengths and life story.

Dr. Shirley approaches therapy from a stance that centers the client as the expert of their own life, helping clients identify and use their existing resources to meet goals and overcome obstacles. She works collaboratively to tailor interventions to the issues at hand, whether the focus is rebuilding connection, managing anxiety, processing past wounds, or navigating career and caregiving stresses. Taking the first step toward a more satisfying and balanced life often requires courage, and Dr. Shirley offers steady professional support to guide people through that process and help them move toward meaningful change.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Dr. Andrea Shirley often uses client-centered therapy to place the individual at the center of the therapeutic process - this approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and supporting clients to draw on their own strengths to solve problems and build resilience. Narrative therapy is also part of her work, helping people examine the stories they tell about themselves and reframe or rewrite those narratives to support healthier identity and relationships. Trauma-focused therapy is applied when past hurt or abuse is a central concern, offering methods to process traumatic experiences and reduce their impact on daily life.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Dr. Shirley collaborates with each client to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds so therapy remains responsive and practical.

Online therapy with a licensed professional offers flexibility - sessions by video or phone, and options for live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to fit care into busy schedules, manage caregiving or work demands, and maintain continuity of support during life transitions. These formats help therapists and clients stay connected in ways that match a client’s comfort and access needs.