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Shirley Butler

Shirley Butler

LCSW

Montana

Experienced social worker focused on collaboration

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At a glance

Credentials
LCSW
License
LCSW, Montana / BBH-LCSW-LIC-815
Experience
23 years
Languages
English
Location
Montana

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Culturally aware practice
    • Individualized plans

    About Shirley

    Shirley Butler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 23 years of experience in mental health. She has worked in community mental health and Tribal behavioral health and has run a private practice since 2013. Shirley draws on her long history of clinical work to guide people through difficult changes and strong emotions.

    She spent significant time living and working on a reservation and values cultural diversity. Shirley earned a Bachelor of Human Services Rehabilitation from Salish Kootenai College and a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University. She completed the supervised clinical hours required before taking her clinical license exam and now holds an MT LCSW.

    Shirley combines evidence-informed approaches with a conversational, respectful style. She emphasizes building trust first, then works with each person to create a plan tailored to their situation. She often uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own reasons for change and to set achievable goals.

    Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self esteem, grief, parenting challenges, career strain, and bipolar disorder. Shirley also focuses on issues like abandonment, codependency, communication problems, forgiveness, and self-love.

    In sessions she invites people to tell their stories and choose the parts they want to examine. Shirley aims to collaborate on treatment goals and to support steady progress toward those goals.

  2. How Shirley’s Approaches Translate to Online Work

    Shirley often uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own reasons to change, set small goals, and build momentum. This approach is conversational and goal-focused, which can work well in talk-based sessions. She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how past relationships affect current feelings and behavior, helping people understand patterns that cause pain.

    Another approach she uses is Client-Centered Therapy, which centers the person’s experience and priorities. Together these methods create a collaborative environment where the therapist follows the client’s lead while offering structure and strategies. Shirley aims to help clients choose what feels most useful based on their needs, goals, and preferences.

    If you are considering online therapy, check which session formats are available before booking since the biography does not specify formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let someone focus on talking without needing to prepare for in-person visits. Shirley will help decide with you which approach and session rhythm will best support your goals.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

    Also works with

    Relationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder

    Additional focus areas

    AbandonmentCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsForgivenessPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveWomen's issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

    Experience

    23+ years

    Listed in

    Montana

    Languages

    English

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What kinds of problems does Shirley address?

    She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, relationship and family concerns, anger, career issues, bipolar disorder, and related areas like abandonment and codependency.

    How would you describe her therapeutic style?

    Her style is conversational and collaborative. She focuses on building trust, listening to your story, and working with you to set practical goals.

    What background does she bring to sessions?

    She has 23 years in mental health, including work in community mental health and Tribal behavioral health, plus a private practice since 2013.

    What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

    She holds an MT LCSW, with education including a Bachelor in Human Services Rehabilitation and a Master of Social Work, and she practices from Montana.

    Which languages and international options are available?

    Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

    What session formats does she offer?

    The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.

    How are sessions paid for and what is the cost?

    Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I begin working with her?

    Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

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Shirley Butler Continue with Shirley