- Family of origin issues
- CBT and EFT methods
- Grief and caregiving support
About Gretchen
Gretchen Shay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Illinois and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) licensed in Alabama with 14 years of practice experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, addictions, and family concerns including family of origin issues. She also supports people dealing with grief, parenting challenges, body image and eating concerns, and coping with life changes.
Her style is interactive and person-focused. Sessions involve direct conversation, practical strategies, and attention to how a person’s past family roles affect current choices. She uses clear, everyday language and works collaboratively to set goals and priorities.
Clinically, she draws from client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, emotionally-focused ideas, motivational interviewing, and narrative approaches. That mix is used to identify patterns, test new behaviors, and reframe painful stories about oneself and relationships.
Gretchen has experience supporting people through medical diagnoses and the needs of caregivers, from diagnosis through grief and loss. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults across a range of life stages and stressors.
Practical matters are discussed early, including expectations for sessions and how therapy fits into daily life. To begin, clients use the site’s matching process and schedule an initial appointment after completing a short questionnaire.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person’s lead. It helps when someone needs to clarify values and feel understood before trying new steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and offers concrete exercises to change them. CBT can be useful for anxiety, depression, and unhelpful patterns learned from family life.Choosing the right approach usually happens together. The therapist will talk about goals, try a few techniques, and adjust based on what fits the client’s needs and comfort. That collaborative process helps decide whether more emotionally-focused work or skill-based CBT is best.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current options before booking. In general, online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and reduce travel time. Therapists can use conversation, guided exercises, and homework the same way they do in person, and they will discuss scheduling, session length, and what to expect when you set up the first appointment.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
Alabama, Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, addictions, eating and body image issues, grief, parenting strains, and family of origin issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is interactive and person-focused. She uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies to address patterns from family life.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of experience working as a social worker and therapist with a wide range of concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and an LICSW licensed in Alabama, and she practices from Alabama.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She is not accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm current session options with the provider before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.