Octave
Shirley Smith avatar
LMFTshe/her

Shirley Smith

VirtualHigh Satisfaction Rate

7 years of experience

Verified by Octave

Licensed

In California

In-Network

Accepting 8 Insurance providers

Meet Shirley

Therapy is all about self-acceptance and rediscovering yourself, and I work in multicultural and biracial issues. In therapy with me, I will learn about you as you are your own self-expert; you know yourself best. From there, we learn what has been working and not working for you. The relationship we build in therapy is essential to the effectiveness of your treatment. I use a holistic approach, which incorporates rational emotive behavioral, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, client-centered, psychodynamic, and family systems therapy. I provide feedback, insights, tools, coping mechanisms, and sometimes homework to assist you on this journey to have a happier, balanced, and fulfilled life.

I provide feedback, insights, tools, coping mechanisms, and sometimes homework to assist you on this journey to have a happier, balanced, and fulfilled life.

Communication Style

  • Affirming
  • Calming
  • Direct
  • Holistic
  • Warm

Specialties & Approaches

Specialties

Experienced with

  • Asian / Pacific Islander community
  • Parents

Licensed In

Locations

Virtual appointments available for California residents

Good to know

Session Details

Practices in

Languages

Additional

Interests

I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I like walking and observing things around me. I like watching shows.

Credentials & Verification

Verified by Octave

License number

#113518 • California • LMFT

Education

MA - Clinical Psychology, Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Shirley Smith, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist License #113518 (exp May 2027)

Calculate Cost & Insurance

$28

/ session on average with insurance

What insurance do you have?

Frequently asked questions

Shirley Smith accepts Blue Shield of California, Anthem Blue Cross of CA, Out-of-State BlueCard PPO, Cigna Healthcare/Evernorth, Health Net, Prime Health, Centivo, and Aetna. Octave clients pay an average of $28 per session through insurance, and more than 95% pay less than $45 per session. Your exact cost depends on your plan’s copay or deductible. You can use the cost estimator to see what you would pay before your first session. If you would rather pay out of pocket, self-pay sessions in California are estimated at $205-250 per session.

Shirley Smith is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Shirley is licensed to practice in California, so clients located in California can book sessions. Shirley’s California license number is 113518, and you can look it up through the state licensing board. Octave verifies every therapist’s license before they begin seeing clients, and licenses are kept current as a condition of practicing with Octave.

Shirley Smith has been practicing therapy for 7 years. Shirley’s education and training include MA - Clinical Psychology, Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Over that time, Shirley has worked closely with Asian / Pacific Islander community and Parents.

Shirley Smith works with Asian / Pacific Islander community and Parents and specializes in Anxiety, Burnout, Cultural Issues/Racial Stress, Depression, Family Conflict, Life Transitions, Stress, and Women's Issues. These are the areas where Shirley spends most of their clinical time. If the concern you want help with isn’t listed here, a Care Navigator can tell you whether Shirley is a good fit or match you with another Octave therapist who specializes in it.

Shirley Smith draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Psychodynamic, and Strengths-Based. In sessions, Shirley’s style is affirming, calming, direct, holistic, and warm. In Shirley’s words: “I provide feedback, insights, tools, coping mechanisms, and sometimes homework to assist you on this journey to have a happier, balanced, and fulfilled life.”

Shirley Smith (she/her) offers therapy in English and Cantonese. Shirley identifies as East Asian.

Shirley Smith offers online sessions over secure video, so you can meet from home or any private space. Shirley is licensed in California, and you need to be located in that state at the time of each session. All you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection.

Your first session with Shirley Smith is a chance to talk through what brought you to therapy and what you want to work on. Shirley will ask about your background, your current concerns, and your goals, and together you will start shaping a plan for your sessions. It is also a chance to see whether Shirley’s style feels like a good fit for you. After their first session, 9 in 10 Octave clients say their therapy experience has been good or better.

Learn how ratings and reviews work

Octave regularly asks clients to select a rating based on their experience about their provider about their therapy sessions. Providers are prohibited from soliciting reviews from their clients.

Only clients who have completed a session with this provider can leave a rating for them.

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