Shirley Souder, LMFT, LCSW

Shirley Souder is a seasoned therapist based in Indiana with over 43 years of clinical experience. She combines formal training in Christian counseling - including a degree with a theology minor from Fort Wayne Bible College - with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Industrial Psychology and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of St. Francis. Shirley also holds professional licenses as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Her work is informed by William Glasser’s Reality Therapy, which centers on practical questions about current behaviors, the changes a person needs to make, and the timing of those changes. She blends that practical orientation with Christian counseling techniques, helping clients study spiritual materials and apply faith-based principles to everyday life. Shirley focuses on concrete life skills and emotional tools, with particular emphasis on Emotional Forgiveness Skills and strategies for relating to difficult people.

She is experienced working with teens, individuals, couples in marriage counseling, and adults navigating widowhood or major life transitions. Her practice also addresses preparing for job interviews, nutrition suggestions, personality and behavior concerns, and developing new normal life skills. Shirley’s approach is practical, faith-informed, and aimed at helping clients make meaningful, achievable changes.

Attachment, Client-Centered, and Cognitive Work Online

Shirley uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early and current emotional bonds influence relationships today - this approach can help with intimacy-related concerns, attachment issues, and patterns that repeat across relationships. Client-Centered Therapy is another pillar of her practice, offering a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients take the lead and are helped to clarify their own goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides practical skills to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shirley works with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts the plan as progress and circumstances evolve. The result is tailored care that draws on different techniques as appropriate.

Online therapy with Shirley is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules or distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access sessions from home or while traveling, and integrate therapeutic work into daily life with greater convenience.