Shirley Souder , LMFT, LCSW

Shirley Souder combines decades of formal training and clinical experience to support individuals, couples, and families facing relationship strain, grief, addiction, trauma, and life transitions. She earned a degree in Christian Counseling with a theology minor from Fort Wayne Bible College, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Industrial Psychology from the University of St. Francis, and a master’s degree in Psychology from the same university. She holds professional licenses as an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - and an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, bringing both family-systems and clinical social work perspectives to her practice.

Her theoretical foundation draws from William Glasser’s Reality Therapy, focusing on practical questions - how current choices shape outcomes, what is needed to change, and when change will begin - and she integrates those ideas with faith-informed counseling when clients prefer that approach. She guides people in applying spiritual resources alongside evidence-based strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and behavioral concerns.

Shirley has particular experience working with teens, couples seeking marriage counseling, widows and widowers, and those adapting to a new normal after major life changes. She helps clients prepare for job interviews, addresses personality and behavior challenges, offers practical life-skill coaching, and teaches emotional forgiveness skills to support healing and healthier relationships.

Approaches that Guide Online Work and Healing

Shirley draws on several proven therapeutic approaches to tailor online work to each person’s needs. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationship patterns influence emotions and behavior - it helps with intimacy issues, attachment challenges, and rebuilding trust in relationships. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person’s own experience and values, offering a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients explore goals, self-worth, and life choices at their own pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addresses patterns of thinking and behavior by teaching practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, and stress through structured strategies and homework.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Shirley works with clients to assess goals, preferences, and life context, then crafts a plan that may blend methods as needed so treatment fits the individual or couple rather than forcing a single model.

Online therapy with Shirley is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain consistency, access support from where clients are, and continue therapeutic progress during life transitions or when in-person sessions are not practical.