Shirley Souder , LMFT, LCSW

Shirley Souder holds degrees 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 University of St. Francis. She brings a faith-informed perspective to therapy while also integrating evidence-based clinical methods. She is licensed as an LMFT and an LCSW - that is, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - which reflects training in both relational and clinical practice.

Her clinical stance is shaped by William Glasser’s Reality Therapy, focused on practical choices and deliberate change, which she blends with Christian counseling applications. She guides clients in learning how to study scripture and apply those learnings to everyday life, helping translate faith principles into actionable steps for contemporary challenges.

Shirley works especially well with teenagers and individuals, and she provides couples and marriage counseling as well as support for widows and widowers adapting to new life patterns. Her practice emphasizes practical life skills such as job interview preparation, nutrition suggestions, and strategies for managing personality and behavior concerns. She also helps clients navigate difficult relationships and places special emphasis on developing emotional forgiveness skills to promote healing and movement forward.

Attachment, client-centered, and CBT approaches for online care

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationship patterns shape emotional responses and connections. It helps clients explore how attachment needs influence intimacy, trust, and communication in present-day relationships. Client-Centered Therapy centers on the client's lived experience, offering a nonjudgmental, empathic space where the therapist supports the client's own problem solving and personal growth. It is useful for building self-understanding and confidence when facing life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is practical and goal-oriented, often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Shirley collaborates with each person to determine the best fit based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She works with clients to tailor techniques and priorities so therapy feels relevant and achievable.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules and for those living at a distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into daily life, and access licensed professionals from varied locations, while still focusing on meaningful therapeutic work.