- Client-Centered Therapy
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused work
About Andrea
Dr. Andrea Shirley is a California-licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 27 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, and a range of life transitions. She also supports people coping with trauma, grief, sleep issues, anger, and questions around intimacy and self-esteem.
Andrea favors a practical, person-centered approach. She treats clients as the experts on their own lives and looks for strengths to build on. Sessions focus on clear goals, problem-solving, and making small changes that fit daily life.
She uses narrative ideas to help people reframe difficult stories and to separate a person from the problems they face. Solution-focused methods are used to identify what is already working and to set short-term steps toward improvement. When trauma is part of the picture, she draws on trauma-focused approaches to address its effects on thinking, sleep, and relationships.
Her background includes long-term clinical work with adults dealing with identity and relationship complexities, including LGBT concerns and blended family issues. Andrea also supports people managing caregiving stress, chronic illness, and major life disruptions such as divorce or relocation.
Sessions are straightforward and goal-oriented. Clients can expect a conversational style that checks what is working and what needs adjusting. The aim is to create practical strategies clients can use between meetings and to track progress over time.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Client-centered therapy focuses on the client's perspective and aims to identify personal strengths and preferences. It helps when someone needs to clarify values, make decisions, or regain a sense of control after change. Narrative therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and helps separate the person from the problem. This approach can be useful for relationship issues, identity concerns, and blended family dynamics.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to test different methods and decide what fits best based on needs, goals, and comfort with the work. Adjustments are made as progress is tracked and new priorities emerge.
Confirm the specific session formats before you book since the biography does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also let someone join from a quieter setting without needing to commute or take extra time off. Ask about session length and steps for scheduling when you complete the matching questionnaire.
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 problems does she help with?
She helps adults with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, family concerns, trauma, grief, sleep problems, and self-esteem issues.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is conversational and goal-focused, using client-centered work alongside narrative and solution-focused methods.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 27 years of professional experience working with adults in clinical settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a California LMFT and works from California as her professional location.
Can she work with non-US or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model 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 for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.