Sheila Owens, LCSW
Calm, practical support for life changes
Details
| Name | Sheila Owens |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 8 |
About Sheila
Sheila Owens, LCSW, offers support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and low self-esteem. She also helps with grief, parenting strain, bipolar mood concerns, trauma and abuse, and LGBT-related issues. Sheila writes plainly and listens closely to understand what matters to each person.
Sheila has eight years as a licensed clinical social worker in California, plus decades of earlier experience as a case manager and case coordinator in mental health.
Background and approach
That background means she has seen many different situations and practical problems that come with day-to-day living and long-term change. Her approach centers on talking through life stories and noticing patterns that shape how people see themselves. She uses Narrative Therapy to help people reframe difficult experiences.
She also draws on client-centered methods to follow the pace a person prefers and to make sure they feel heard. Sheila integrates skills-based work from cognitive behavioral therapy and DBT when helpful, and can use EMDR for trauma-related memories. In sessions she aims to make goals concrete, whether that means reducing panic, improving communication, or building confidence.
Sheila describes herself as respectful, sensitive, and compassionate. She focuses on tailoring conversations and plans to each person’s needs. Her goal is to support and empower people as they take steps toward a more satisfying life.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Self esteem among the things Sheila works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Coping with life changes
- Abandonment
- Avoidant personality
- Body image
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Hoarding
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Multicultural concerns
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Somatic Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Internal Family Systems: Listed by Sheila among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Sheila directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Sheila directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and skills work online
Sheila blends Narrative Therapy with client-centered and cognitive-behavioral techniques to help people with emotional and practical problems. Narrative Therapy focuses on the stories people tell about their lives and helps rewrite unhelpful narratives so they feel less stuck. Client-centered work means sessions follow the person's concerns and pace, with the therapist listening and reflecting rather than directing. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers concrete tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Sheila will talk with each person about goals and preferences, try methods that fit, and adjust as progress and needs change. That partnership makes it easier to mix storytelling, listening, and skill practice in a way that actually helps day-to-day life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for in-depth conversation and visual cues, while phone work can fit a busy schedule or use less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging allow brief check-ins, planning between sessions, and ongoing reminders of skills. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, parenting, or other commitments while still using the same therapeutic approaches used in person.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Sheila help with?
Sheila supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood concerns, grief, trauma, and relationship struggles. She also addresses self-esteem, parenting, LGBT issues, career stress, and many family-of-origin or communication problems.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is listening first and following the person's pace. She draws on Narrative and client-centered ways of working, with practical skill-building when needed.
What background does she bring to sessions?
She has eight years as a licensed clinical social worker in California and decades of earlier work as a case manager and case coordinator in mental health. That mix brings both clinical and practical experience.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds the LCSW credential and is licensed in California. She practices with that California LCSW credential.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sheila works with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription plan that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Sheila?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Sheila are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Sheila where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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