I am licensed in Connecticut with 9+ years of professional work experience. I offer a respectful, varied, and empathic approach to therapy. My goal is to work with you to identify personal strengths, develop and hone coping and problem solving methods, and create ways to establish and sustain a mental and emotional balance. I fervently believe your struggles need not be your identity.
I offer varied appointment times, mostly evenings and weekends. However exceptions can be made. I try to work around your schedule. I treat clinical depression, mood disorders, workplace issues, repeat and situational stress/anxiety, trauma, and other issues. I provide care using different treatment modalities: CBT, DBT, Trauma Informed, Solution Based, Group focused, Couples therapy and others.
We are all unique, beautifully imperfect individuals. Let's work together to direct your path and learn from life's myriad of experiences. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that may challenge and overwhelm you. Taking the first step takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.
"We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. We must do that which we think we cannot" Eleanor Roosevelt
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Abandonment, Body Image, Caregiver Issues and Stress, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Dependent Personality, Divorce and Separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Emptiness, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / Loneliness, Jealousy, Life Purpose, Midlife Crisis, Mood Disorders, Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Post-traumatic Stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Self-Love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Women's Issues, Workplace Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
CT LCSW 9674
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Shirley Watson. 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.
I feel very safe with Shirley and during our sessions I feel I’m the most important person in the world for her. She listens actively and never judges me.
Written on Nov 15, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 2 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and self esteem
When I began talking to Shirley I was hesitant as I had never had therapy sessions before and I was a total wreck. She was such a good listener and quick to help calm me down and give me the tools I needed to get through situations that are very difficult for me. I am feeling much more in control of my life and my emotions but when I'm having a bad day she knows just how to ground me. I always feel more relaxed and prepared for what is ahead after a conversation with Shirley! I cannot thank her enough.
Written on Oct 10, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, anger management, and career difficulties
She is awesome.
Written on Aug 21, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
Shirley is truly a person that cares and offers perspective in a very real, down to Earth way that has allowed me to open up and address issues in my life. She is absolutely wonderful and has connected with me in a way I would never have expected.
Written on Jul 09, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and adhd
I love the connection I have with Shirley. She makes me feel so comfortable to talk with her and to share what’s going on in my head. I look forward to my sessions instead of dreading them like before I met Shirley.
Written on May 07, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
Shirley Watson is a great therapist. She listened intently to my issues and was very attentive. I would recommend her services to anyone
Written on Apr 24, 2023 after therapy with Shirley for 4 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues