Shirley Southard, LCMHC
North Carolina · 20 years in practice
Shirley Southard is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with 20 years in human services.
License and registration
- LCMHC, North Carolina
- 11871 · expires June 2027
- NPI
- 1083651376 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 20
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Shirley
Shirley Southard is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with 20 years in human services. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family concerns, trauma, grief, and parenting struggles. Her approach is direct and compassionate, focused on practical steps people can use day to day.
Clients can expect a warm, nonjudgmental space where Shirley listens first and then helps set small, achievable goals. She uses straightforward strategies drawn from cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing.
Background and approach
Sessions often include skill practice and simple homework to try between meetings. Her background includes work in mental health, developmental disability services, and substance use settings. She has experience with medication management programs and with active military members.
That variety has shaped a flexible, problem-solving style that adapts to each person’s situation. Shirley practices in North Carolina and brings a practical focus to therapy. She explains coping tools plainly and helps people find routines and habits that reduce distress.
Her style is patient and focused on building hope for the future. Over the years she has helped people facing divorce, single parenting, addictions, grief, women’s issues, and mood challenges. Her stated passion is working with individuals and with children, and she draws on psycho-education and behavioral strategies to support change.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Shirley lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Depression
- ADHD
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Coping with life changes
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Approaches Shirley names
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Shirley Uses Practical Therapies Online
Shirley often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and change patterns that increase anxiety or depression. CBT sessions typically include identifying negative thoughts, testing them, and practicing new behaviors to improve mood and functioning.She also draws on Motivational Interviewing to support people who are unsure about making changes, especially around substance use or health habits. This approach uses gentle questions to find personal motivations and build commitment without judgment.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Shirley collaborates with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. She reviews what’s working and adjusts techniques as progress is made.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for in-depth conversation and skill practice, while phone can fit into a busy schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging are useful for brief check-ins, ongoing support, and quick coping reminders between sessions. These options make it easier to schedule care around work, school, or family life and to stick with the strategies learned in therapy.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does Shirley help with?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, ADHD, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and nonjudgmental with a focus on listening first. She sets clear, practical goals and uses skill practice to help people make changes between sessions.
What experience does she bring?
Shirley has about 20 years in human services, including work with mental health, developmental disability, and substance use populations, plus medication management and active military contexts.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) licensed in North Carolina.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Available session formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist’s availability.
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