Shirley Marks , LMFT

Shirley Marks is a licensed marriage and family therapist who brings 44 years of clinical experience to her work. She focuses on women's issues along with addictions, relationship concerns, and stress. Shirley talks plainly and encourages people to take the first step toward change.

She helps people address substance and process addictions, including drug and alcohol problems and behavioral addictions like gambling or pornography. Shirley also helps with relationship troubles, communication problems, infidelity, and the strain that comes from family of origin issues. She supports those coping with grief, trauma, and difficult life changes.

In sessions she pays attention to how shame, guilt, and multicultural stressors shape thoughts and behavior. She works with people dealing with mood conditions such as depression and bipolar symptoms, as well as anxiety and low self-esteem. She is able to discuss domestic violence and safety-related topics and refer on when additional supports are needed.

Shirley aims to build an open environment where clients can share feelings without judgment. She listens for patterns that keep someone feeling stuck and then helps find practical steps forward. Her approach is collaborative and paced to each person's needs.

Based in Tennessee, she provides care in English and uses a range of formats to suit different schedules. Shirley recognizes that reaching out takes courage and she meets that step with steady, experienced support.

Approaches and online care for lasting change

Shirley uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on real-life change. One common approach she uses helps people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, then replace them with more effective habits to reduce anxiety and depression and improve daily functioning. Another approach centers on relationship and family patterns, helping people improve communication, set boundaries, and repair trust after conflicts or infidelity.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shirley works with each person to match methods to their goals, needs, and comfort level, and she adjusts the plan as progress is made. Clients set the pace and Shirley offers guidance and practical steps along the way.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit busy lives. Video lets people meet face to face when helpful, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a break, and messaging or chat works well for brief check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These formats increase flexibility and make it easier to keep consistent work toward change.