- Family of origin patterns
- Relationship conflicts
- Trauma-informed methods
About Andrea
Dr. Andrea Shirley is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 27 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are noticing how patterns from the family they grew up in affect relationships, stress levels, and self-worth. Common concerns she addresses include anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, LGBT matters, grief, and sleep and anger problems.
Her approach is straightforward. She treats the client as the expert on their own life and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on practical steps people can try between meetings. She draws on client-centered methods to listen closely and follow the client’s lead.
Dr. Shirley also uses narrative therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. This can be helpful for issues like attachment, abandonment, adoption and foster care experiences, or patterns that trace back to childhood. Solution-focused techniques are used to set small, achievable goals and notice what changes when different choices are made.
When past hurt is part of the picture, trauma-focused approaches are available to address lingering effects. She works with concerns such as chronic illness, caregiver stress, compassion fatigue, and recovery from separation or divorce. Her practice places emphasis on clear steps, regular review of progress, and practical coping strategies.
Sessions are conducted in English and organized around what each person needs next. To begin, clients follow the site’s matching and scheduling process to arrange a first appointment.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following what matters most to the client. Online sessions use that same approach by prioritizing the client’s concerns and pacing. Narrative therapy helps people separate themselves from problem stories and try new narratives; online meetings can be used to map those stories and test small changes. Solution-focused therapy emphasizes practical, short-term goals and noticing what works; it supports clear action plans a person can try between visits.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods to emphasize based on their goals, history, and preferences. This is an ongoing conversation that can shift as progress is reviewed and new concerns arise.
The site’s process includes a short matching questionnaire and scheduling step to get started. The specific session formats available with this therapist are not listed here, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time so people can use lunch breaks or brief gaps in the day for a session.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress and anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, LGBT issues, grief, sleep and anger problems, and related areas like ADHD and caregiver stress.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses client-centered listening, narrative therapy to reframe personal stories, solution-focused steps for short-term goals, and trauma-focused approaches when past events are relevant.
How much experience does she have?
She has 27 years of professional work experience supporting adults with relationship and family-origin concerns.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; 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 a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.