- EMDR
- Somatic tools
- Narrative therapy
About Shirley
Shirley Williams is a Colorado LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 35 years of experience. She combines social work practice with body-centered work to help people who are struggling with anger, relationships, trauma, grief, stress, and related concerns.
She uses plain conversation and concrete tools in sessions. Shirley draws on decades working in health care, hospice, schools, foster care and adoption, and pregnancy services. She also has experience supporting people who care for those with disabilities and their animal caregivers.
Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University. Early in her career she completed an intensive two-year family therapy program and continued with many advanced trainings. She also completed a 1000-hour massage therapy program and became nationally certified in massage and bodywork, later obtaining Colorado licensure for that work.
Shirley blends somatic approaches with trauma-informed methods. She practises Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Therapy while also using narrative therapy techniques. She has added the Flash Technique to her trauma toolkit and reports clients have responded well to it.
She sometimes uses expressive arts in sessions, including sound work, movement, clay, and other creative tools. Sessions aim to be direct and practical, helping people notice body responses, tell hard parts of their stories, and try steps that reduce reactivity and improve everyday functioning.
How Shirley uses trauma work and online sessions
EMDR is a structured method that uses guided bilateral stimulation to help the brain process distressing memories. It often helps when past events keep showing up as strong feelings or automatic reactions. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about themselves and their relationships. It helps separate a person from a problem so they can consider new possibilities. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on safe ways to address traumatic memories and the habits that grew from them, and it pairs well with body-centered work for people who feel stuck in their bodies.Shirley treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She discusses goals and preferences with each person and may try different methods to see what fits. Clients are involved in choosing whether to emphasize EMDR, narrative work, trauma-focused techniques, somatic tools, or expressive arts.
Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into daily life, reduce travel time, and allow use of art or movement exercises during a session. Some formats may be simpler when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed, so ask about practical arrangements when you schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Colorado
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with anger, relationships, trauma and abuse, grief, ADHD, stress, anxiety, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping concerns, parenting strain, self-esteem, career stress, depression, and related issues.
Which therapeutic approaches does she use?
She uses EMDR, Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy alongside somatic techniques and expressive arts in sessions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of clinical experience working across health care, hospice, schools, foster care, adoption, and pregnancy services.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW and CSW licensed in Colorado. Her practice is based in Colorado.
In what languages does she offer sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she see clients outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are costs handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.