Hi, I'm ShirIey,
I am a 63 year old Native American Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have over 20 years experience in the mental health field. I have worked in community mental health and I have worked in Tribal Behavioral Health. In both of these agencies I have worked as a crisis on-call therapist on rotation as well as seeing clients in office. Currently, I operate from a private practice which I established in 2013. Although I have spent a great deal of time living and working on the reservation, I have lived in many other cultures and I truly appreciate diversity. I have always been a very curious person so Social Work has been a great outlet for me to explore populations, cultures, and behaviors.
I obtained a Bachelor Degree in 1998 in Human Services Rehabilitation from Salish Kootenai College on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo, MT. I have a Masters in Social Work from Walla Walla University in Missoula, MT in 2004. Once I received my MSW, I practiced for three thousand supervised clinical hours before I was able to sit for my clinical license exam. I have worked with diverse cultures and populations. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) which has proven beneficial in the treatment of PTSD (Post- traumatic Stress) and other adverse/disturbing experiences. What disturbs or traumatizes us is unique to the individual. I prefer to spend time with each new client building a rapport and an alliance of trust and safety. I like to develop a plan of treatment that is tailored to the unique individual and with full collaboration.
I am a firm believer in the healing process of telling one's own story and areas an individual would like to examine since they are best at knowing the parts of self they believe need to be examined to help them to progress and grow in their desired direction.
I look forward to exploring with you!
Professional experience
23 yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyTrauma, AbuseSelf esteem, MotivationDepressionCoping with life changes
Additional areas of focus:Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Abandonment, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Forgiveness, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Women's issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shirley Butler. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Shirley has been amazing in listening and finding relatable ways to help me. She has been very helpful in giving me the tools and resources to best fit what I need. I appreciate that I can always touch base on what materials were recommended and talk in depth about them. I highly recommend Shirley! She has been a great help to me and would be to others too!
Written on Jan 27, 2026 after therapy with Shirley for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Shirley is coming to me in a time of my life that I know I need to make changes to heal. Her wisdom and experience come through in her approach and demeanor, and I feel like she understands the type of person I am. She is patient and reminds you frequently to be kind to yourself. We have only had a few sessions but I can feel the change within myself, the roots of something more profound taking shape and I feel excited that change is possible, with the right guidance at the right time. Many thanks!
Written on Jan 20, 2026 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
I find Shirley Butler to be quite helpful and
professional. Her insights are please provide me with lots to think about and ponder and work out. She's willing to share resources and meet me where I am. I am a lover of homework and books and reading, and she provides me with resources.
Written on Dec 12, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, career difficulties, and adhd
Shirley has been a great listener and provides good insight on my problems. Bringing worksheets that are helping me grow and she uses experiences to relate to what I am going through.
Written on Dec 01, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, and relationship issues
Dr Butler is very calm and patient. She is a great listener and does not let you hide things.
Written on Nov 24, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and anger management
She has been incredibly kind, compassionate and able to help me navigate some difficult and painful experiences.
Written on Oct 09, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Shirley listens, and responds to me. She listened to my concerns, and gave me options of what I wanted to work on that session. I feel like she genuinely cares about my well-being, and I look forward to my sessions with her.
Written on Sep 08, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Shirley Butler is terriffic! She is a thoughtful, experienced, generous, unflappable, and someone I have come to trust implicitly. She's someone who listens deeply and manages to hear the underlying themes and some of the pain that is difficult to express in words. She doesn't put words in your mouth---not at all---but she does hear so well. It makes saying hard things less frightening and more possible to bring to the surface so they can be seen and examined. I feel very fortunate to have her as my therapist.
Written on Apr 24, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 years and 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and family conflicts
This is a great app!! I have overcome my last breakup and have learned things about myself I didn’t even know! Great work BetterHelp!! Thank you
Written on Apr 11, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coaching, and adhd
Shirley has been helping me process through significant grief. She has been amazing and very kind.
Written on Mar 24, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Shirley is knowledgeable and meets clients where they’re at. She offers helpful insight, resources, and clearly has a strong sense of integrity. I appreciate her empathy and compassion.
Written on Jan 31, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self esteem
She has been very helpful in my situation
Written on Jan 28, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, and sleeping disorders
Shirley has been an amazing partner on my journey. She showed me a great amount of understanding for what I am going through and offered immediate things that I could do to help and steps toward positive change. I have really enjoyed my time spent with her and am better for it.
Written on Jan 07, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, and self esteem
Great!
Written on Jan 06, 2025 after therapy with Shirley for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and coping with life changes
Educated, honest and smart. Finding a good counselor to listen and approach situations based on science has been hard for me. She gives me an outlined look on what’s happening in my brain based on science. It’s helpful.
Written on Nov 26, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and coping with life changes
Shirley is amazing, she listens but helps me process things that are happening and gives me tools to use in the day to day difficulties.
Written on Oct 03, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, coping with life changes, and adhd
Shirley is absolutely the best! After just our first session, she gave me a multitude of tools to address my anxiety and other concerns. She is extremely considerate, kind, wise, and knowledgable. I would definitely recommend Shirley Butler!
Written on Sep 30, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I've only had one session with Shirley so far and right off the bats she reviewed my bio, and we started dealing with my concerns right away.
Written on Jul 15, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, and coping with life changes
Shirley has been great for working through my feelings, providing strategies and listening to me on my healing journey. She’s intelligent, helpful and has given me tools to better myself and reach my goals.
Written on Jun 02, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, and self esteem
Shirley is a wonderful therapist. She had a lot of knowledge and she is easy to talk to.
Written on Mar 25, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
I really like Shirley. She understands me and gives me great tools.
Written on Mar 19, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and coping with life changes
I have had many therapists in my life and Shirley is truly the best. She has given me so many tools to help in my daily life and I have noticed a huge difference. My life and relationships have significantly changed for the better because of my therapy sessions with Shirley.
Written on Mar 04, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and adhd
Shirley is amazing she is so helpful and listens to me thank you
Written on Feb 07, 2024 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, career difficulties, and coaching
Shirley addressed issues that I wanted to discuss and provided information that was research based and well thought out! I appreciated her expertise and keeping sessions client centered!
Written on Aug 04, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and compassion fatigue
Shirley has been very helpful in revealing different angles to my troublesome problems and provides a welcoming and open atmosphere for clients such as myself to confidently and comfortably express my emotions. Thank you Shirly.
Written on Jun 07, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, and anger management
Shirley provided a comfortable and knowledegable experience. Would recommend!
Written on May 03, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and coping with life changes
Talented professional. Was able to help me identify and support the areas of my life that needed it - for me as soon as the first meeting.
Written on Apr 08, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Shirley is fantastic. She understands my unorthodox spirituality and offers me tools that fit right into my toolbox. Eleven stars.
Written on Mar 20, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
Shirley is amazing. I really appreciate the way she sees me and how she communicates. So grateful to have found this person to support me during the hardest year of my life. Highly recommend working with this beautiful soul.
Written on Aug 04, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem
Shirley has been exactly what I needed and I have come strides with her empathetic assistance and knowledge.
Written on Aug 02, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Shirley is very warm, measured and understanding. She is a good listener but steps in when necessary to offer insights into why certain conflicts in my life are occurring and how I might act to resolve it. I feel like I can really trust her.
Written on Jun 30, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, coping with life changes, adhd, intimacy-related issues, career difficulties, grief, eating disorders, compassion fatigue, and bipolar disorder
Shirley was fantastic…. She always seemed to understand and be able to articulate my thoughts/experiences even when less that perfect responses were provided by me. I would recommend her to anyone!
Written on Apr 16, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career difficulties
Shirley Butler is compassion and listened to my concerns/ issues and offered practical solutions.
Written on Apr 04, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
My first session was really powerful. Shirley helped me when I needed it, and I look forward to the next visit...
Written on Mar 28, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 5 days on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and anger management
Shirley has been such a wonderful therapist in my time of grief, she understands what I need, and listens so attentively! 10/10
Written on Mar 10, 2022 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
Shirley is very open and welcoming. I feel very comfortable and safe and supported.
She has offered a variety of learning and accountability tools and is always quick and detailed in her responses.
Written on Mar 08, 2021 after therapy with Shirley for 8 months
Shirley has been fantastic. She's offered me great different perspectives and ways of thinking that have helped me let go of negative thinking and geared me towards more positive thinking about myself and my future.
Written on Oct 20, 2020 after therapy with Shirley for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and adhd
Shirley is absolutely amazing. Her knowledge and understand is more than I ever expected to find in a therapist. She is very direct but kind, and makes me feel understood and cared about. I look forward to the future and building a healthier and happier mind, equipped with proper adult tools for life.
Written on Jun 03, 2020 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
I really like this service and my therapist. I like that I can communicate immediately what I feel and dont have to wait a week for the opportunity to say how I feel. The worksheets help and I can refer back.
Written on Mar 30, 2020 after therapy with Shirley for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, parenting issues, and bipolar disorder
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