Profile / United States
Shirley Souder, LMFT, LCSW
Indiana
LMFT LCSW - Relationships and Life Changes
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Attachment-based work
- Emotional forgiveness skills
About Shirley
Shirley Souder is an LMFT and LCSW licensed in Indiana with 43 years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, addiction, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting strain, anger, career challenges, and depression. Shirley also lists coaching, compassion fatigue, and ADHD among her practice areas. She offers sessions in English and accepts international clients.
Her background blends psychology and Christian counseling. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Industrial Psychology and a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of St. Francis, plus a degree in Christian Counseling from Fort Wayne Bible College with a theology minor. Over four decades she has worked with a wide range of life concerns and behavioral questions.
In practice she uses clear, task-focused methods drawn from Reality Therapy principles and other approaches. Conversations tend to focus on what someone is doing now, what they want to change, and practical next steps. She also applies Christian counseling tools when clients want faith-based perspectives, including studying scripture with direct application to daily life.
Shirley combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ideas with attachment and emotionally-focused methods to address patterns in thought, feeling, and relationship behavior. Motivational interviewing is part of how she supports readiness for change. She teaches concrete skills such as emotional forgiveness, interviewing for a job, managing difficult people, and basic life skills for new situations.
Clients can expect short, practical conversations aimed at identifying unhelpful habits and trying different responses. Shirley emphasizes specific steps people can take between sessions to test changes and track progress.
How Shirley integrates practical approaches in online sessions
Shirley commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, try different responses, and set concrete homework tasks to test changes between sessions. She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early relationship patterns influence current reactions and closeness, which can help with intimacy-related issues and communication problems.Finding the right method is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to choose approaches that fit the client's goals, needs, and preferences. That means checking in about how exercises feel and adjusting methods if something is not helpful.
The original biography does not specify which remote session formats she provides, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They can also make it simpler to schedule around work, caregiving, or other commitments. Ask about format details and session length when you set up the first appointment to make sure it meets practical needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
43+ years
Listed in
Indiana
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She lists stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, addictions, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting, anger, career concerns, depression, and coping with life changes among her focus areas.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in sessions?
She uses CBT ideas to notice unhelpful thoughts and habits and to try different responses. Sessions include practical steps to test changes between meetings.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She has 43 years of experience and holds a BS in Psychology/Industrial Psychology and a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of St. Francis, plus a degree in Christian Counseling from Fort Wayne Bible College.
What credentials and location are on record?
She is listed as LMFT and LCSW, both in Indiana. Her practice location is Indiana.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats does she offer?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.