Shirley Semel , LMFT

Shirley Semel is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California who brings compassion and practical support to people navigating relationship strain, addiction, grief, trauma, mood challenges, and life transitions. With eight years of clinical experience, she has worked with individuals across the lifespan and led groups focused on domestic violence, anger management, and addiction relapse prevention. She holds the LMFT credential - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - reflecting specialized training in treating individuals, couples, and families, and her license is CA LMFT 93363.

Shirley creates a nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can explore the patterns and life circumstances that keep them feeling stuck. She values helping people uncover what brings them joy, meaning, and greater emotional balance, and she supports practical change alongside deeper personal insight. Her practice addresses concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family challenges, addictions and co-occurring disorders, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting and blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and issues with self-esteem and identity.

Shirley also offers faith-informed counseling for individuals and families who wish to include spiritual perspectives in therapy, and she takes particular interest in helping families coping with a loved one who has serious mental illness. Throughout her work she emphasizes a caring, respectful, and strengths-focused approach aimed at helping people move toward fuller, more satisfying lives.