Shirley Barthelemy

Shirley Barthelemy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Life Coach. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University. She holds a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Shirley has over 10 years of diverse experience in the mental health and substance abuse community. Shirley is a Divorce Recovery Therapist whose passion is to work with women who have experienced or who are currently in the beginning, middle, or final phase of a divorce. She helps the women navigate through the grief of losing their marriage as they address various emotions that are experienced during the stages of grief. She has worked with clients with other various issues such as stress, self-esteem, adjusting to change, grief/loss, trauma, depression, and anxiety. She teaches women healthy coping skills to help them reclaim their lives by using a holistic approach. Our holistic approach allows us to focus on the mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health of each individual. Her goal is to help women find a path to healing. She creates a therapeutic atmosphere where they can feel safe and experience a sense of validation and freedom to express themselves without being judged. Shirley helps them practice self-love and recognize their importance despite their past experiences.

My approach

I utilized therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, solution-focused, trauma-focused, motivational interviewing, and strength-based. I also use a holistic approach that targets the whole person, not just the mental aspect but also the physical, emotional, spiritual and social health

My focus

Typically work with adult women ages 18 and up. I also have experience working with families, which include both adults and children. I feel most comfortable treating issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, grief/loss, infidelity, low self-esteem, coping with change, domestic violence, and divorce.

My communication style

I create a therapeutic atmosphere where they can feel safe and experience a sense of validation and freedom to express themselves without being judged. I help my clients practice self-love and recognize their importance despite their past experiences.

My journey to therapy

I have always had a passion for helping people who are struggling to understand or cope with their mental health issues. It's rewarding to see someone progress over time and find hope when they initially came in thinking it was impossible. To know that I was part of making that happen is a rewarding feeling.

My goals for you

I make sure that my clients are aware of the difference between long and short-term goals. I have them break the goals down into ways that appear more achievable and less overwhelming. I help my clients develop a weekly schedule where they are able to identify how they will fit their goals into their schedules each week. Each session, I check in with my clients to make sure they are working on their goals.

My first session with you

During the first session, I will review the confidentiality and cancellation policy. Then review the intake form, GAD-7 (anxiety), and PHQ-9 (depression) assessments and discuss what initially has brought them into therapy