Shirley Southard , LCMHC

Shirley Southard is a licensed mental health professional with two decades of experience helping people navigate stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family challenges, trauma, grief, parenting concerns, and life transitions. She brings experience working with mental health, developmental disability, and substance use populations, and has supported assisted medication management as well as active military members and their families. Her work also includes supporting clients facing divorce, single-parenting, mood disorders, and a range of concerns across the lifespan, including aging and geriatric issues.

Shirley provides a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic presence and emphasizes listening and acceptance as foundations for change. She uses a mix of evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational approaches, alongside client-centered care and psychoeducation, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs. As an LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor) and a licensed substance abuse supervisor, she combines clinical training with practical experience to help clients set goals and build skills that support healthier functioning.

Clients work with Shirley to explore practical strategies for coping, improve communication and relationships, address addictive behaviors, manage intense emotions, and find greater hope for the future. She welcomes individuals and children, offers support for veterans and families, and accepts clients both in North Carolina and internationally.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Shirley draws on Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, accepting space where clients are heard and supported as they explore personal goals and challenges. This approach emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and meeting people where they are, and it can be especially helpful for clients seeking emotional validation and clearer self-understanding.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to anxiety, depression, and other difficulties, and to build practical skills for changing those patterns. CBT is action-oriented and often helps clients reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.

Motivational Interviewing supports individuals who are considering change, including those facing substance use or ambivalence about behavior change. It focuses on exploring motivation, strengthening commitment, and setting achievable steps toward desired outcomes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Shirley works collaboratively with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and she adapts techniques so the therapy fits the individual rather than forcing a single method.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video sessions, phone appointments, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules or to connect from different locations. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals and maintain continuity of care while choosing the communication style that feels most comfortable.