She's a wonderful person and a great counselor. I am glad to be her client.
Shirley Semel, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Shirley is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Shirley. View 10 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in California
Recent reviews
Shirley is helpful, compassionate and an amazing human being. I’m glad she is there to help not only me but many others
More about Shirley
- 8 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
Welcome! I am very excited that you have taken the first step to finding the support that you need. I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of California. I have worked with all ages of individuals and have experience facilitating groups dealing with domestic violence, anger management and addiction relapse prevention. I strive to earn your trust through creating an environment in which you will be free to share whatever is on your mind in an atmosphere of compassion and without judgment.
One of my passions is to help you live a life in which you are free to explore who you are in every aspect of your life. I want you to know how special you are and that you deserve to live a life that you have always dreamed of. We can do that by looking into the areas of your life that are keeping you stuck for whatever reason and learning what it is that you really gives you joy and contentment in every area of your life.
My special interests include helping people deal with addictions and co-occurring disorders, relationship and family issues, helping families dealing with mentally ill loved ones, as well as Christian counseling for individuals and families. I especially take joy in seeing people reach their full potential in life through God’s eyes. But whatever your situation is I want you to be able to share it in a caring and nurturing environment.
Once again, I am so excited that you have taken this first step in learning more about yourself in order to have a richer life. I look forward to working with you soon.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts
Anger management
Depression
Addictions
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Eating disorders
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coping with life changes
Blended Family Issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain illness and disability
Codependency
Commitment Issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster
Divorce and separation
Domestic Violence
Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Family of Origin Issues
Family Problems
Forgiveness
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Mood disorders
Women's issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Shirley Semel's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1003430687.
- LMFT · California · 93363 · Expires August 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.
Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.
Reviews for Shirley Semel
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
She's a wonderful person and a great counselor. I am glad to be her client.
Shirley is helpful, compassionate and an amazing human being. I’m glad she is there to help not only me but many others
I would recommend Shirley to my family. She's that good!
Talking with Shirley has turned into the highlight of my week.
Shirley is very kind and a great listener.
She listens and very help.
Shirley is warm and has welcoming spirit I feel I'm able to be open with her, I am looking forward to our future sessions.
Shirley is very thoughtful, considerate, and attentive. She is easy to talk to and gives the impression of a genuine interest and concern. I would highly recommend Shirley to anyone looking to overcome my wide range of personal insecurities or simply looking to grow and better themselves.
Shirley is an awesome listener and works hard to keep in contact with her clients!
Thank you Shirley!
Frequently asked questions
Does Shirley Semel offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Shirley Semel works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Shirley Semel speak?
Shirley Semel speaks English.
How many years of experience does Shirley Semel have?
Shirley Semel has 8 years of experience.
Where is Shirley Semel licensed to practice?
Shirley Semel is licensed to practice in California.
Does Shirley Semel accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Shirley Semel does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Shirley Semel offer?
Shirley Semel offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Shirley Semel?
Shirley Semel can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Shirley Semel?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.