Caitlin Shirley

I've been in the mental health field since 2012, and the last four years of that work put me squarely in the thick of it; opioid treatment programs, crisis-level cases, the kind of work where people show up at their absolute lowest. I hold a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and my background is rooted in working with attachment disorders, severe mental illness, and substance abuse.

What that experience taught me is something I carry into every session now: nobody is "too much," and no story is too messy to bring into the room.

These days, I'm making space for slower, steadier work, but the intensity of that earlier experience shaped how I show up for it. Whether it's the depression that's quietly worn you down, the stress you've been white-knuckling through, or the drinking or using you're finally ready to be honest about, my goal is to meet you where you are; without judgment and with steady, compassionate presence. Healing, to me, is deeply personal and relational. It starts with being genuinely seen and understood.

You don't need the right words yet. I happen to think the figuring-out is half the work.

I'm not the kind of therapist who nods silently for 50 minutes. I ask questions, I'll be direct when it helps, and I care about you leaving with something useful — not just a place to vent, though some days venting is exactly the point.

I'd describe myself as an eclectic counselor, drawing from multiple therapeutic traditions rather than adhering rigidly to one framework. Two lenses consistently anchor my work:

Humanistic. I believe people have an inherent capacity for growth and self-understanding, and my role is to create the conditions where that can unfold. You are the expert on your own experience; I'm here to walk alongside you, not to dictate your path.

Attachment. So much of how we relate to ourselves and others is shaped by our earliest connections. Understanding your attachment history can illuminate patterns you may not have recognized in relationships, in coping strategies, in the way you respond to stress or intimacy. Mostly, I want to sit with you and understand the "why" underneath the pattern, not just the pattern itself.

I also keep a whole-body perspective, recognizing that mental health isn't just about thoughts and feelings in isolation. Sleep, nutrition, movement, environment, community, physical health, nervous system regulation — all of these play a role in how we function and how we heal. Therapy that ignores the body misses a big piece of the picture.

Ultimately, my approach is collaborative and responsive. We'll find what works for you.

Your first session will be part practical and part conversational, and that balance is intentional. On the practical side, I need to ensure all necessary paperwork is complete and reviewed — consent forms, intake information, and the basics that allow us to work together ethically and safely.

But the heart of the session is really about conversation. I want to hear what's bringing you into care — in your own words, at your own pace. There's no rigid questionnaire or checklist I'm working through. You don't need to have everything figured out or articulated perfectly. Many people come to their first session unsure exactly what to say, and that's completely okay. This is the beginning of a conversation, not a test.

By the end, my hope is that you'll have a sense of what it feels like to sit with me, and together we can start exploring whether we're a good fit for the work ahead.