Shirley Souder, LMFT, LCSW

Shirley Souder is a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed clinical social worker with 43 years of experience. She combines practical problem-solving with personal values to help people facing difficult life moments. Her work often centers on everyday choices, relationships, and managing strong emotions.

Her background includes a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Industrial Psychology from the University of St. Francis, and a degree in Christian Counseling with a theology minor from Fort Wayne Bible College. Shirley blends reality-based questions about behaviors and choices with faith-informed perspectives when clients want that approach.

In sessions she focuses on concrete steps clients can take. She helps people identify what they are doing, decide what to change, and set a timeline for making those changes. Practical topics she addresses include coping with career transitions, improving communication, parenting stress, grief, forgiveness, and managing anxiety and anger.

Her methods draw on Attachment-Based, Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral, Emotionally-Focused, and Motivational Interviewing approaches to shape conversation and action. Shirley also offers coaching-style guidance for tasks like interviewing for a job or developing new daily routines.

People who prefer a values-aware approach and straightforward tools will find her style direct and action-oriented. If you want to discuss goals, create steps, and work on emotional forgiveness or life adjustments, she may be a fit.

How her approaches fit online work

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how emotional bonds affect current relationships. It helps people notice interaction patterns, feel what comes up, and practice new ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going; it teaches practical skills to test beliefs and change unhelpful habits. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people name and work through strong feelings to improve closeness and resolve recurring conflicts.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Shirley will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That means discussing what feels useful and adjusting the plan as progress is made.

The therapist's profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so confirm available options before booking. In general, online therapy can make sessions easier to fit into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for follow-up conversations between in-person visits. It can also let people use shorter check-ins or audio-only meetings when video is difficult. Licensed professionals and therapists commonly tailor session length and frequency to real-life schedules to help work stay practical and manageable.