Shirley Cayko

Shirley Cayko is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Montana with 18 years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, and major life changes. Shirley aims to meet each person where they are and build a plan that fits their needs.

Her approach is straightforward and respectful. Conversations are shaped around what matters most to the client. She listens for practical patterns and helps people try small changes that can make daily life easier.

Shirley uses a mix of approaches depending on the issue. She draws on client-centered work to keep sessions focused on the person's goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools are used to spot and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills can be introduced for strong emotions and self-management.

She also brings mindfulness and existential perspectives when people want help sorting values, meaning, or difficult feelings. Her style is calm and compassionate, with attention to concrete steps and real-world problems. Shirley tailors the pace and methods to each person's situation.

People come to Shirley for a wide range of concerns, including grief, relationship stress, bipolar mood issues, anger, and coping with illness or caregiving. She offers steady support while helping clients build coping skills and clearer direction for the future.

How Shirley’s approaches fit online therapy

Shirley uses Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions focused on what the client wants to work on, helping people set goals and shape conversations around their priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides clear tools to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors, which can be practiced between sessions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adds concrete skills for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, useful when strong feelings get in the way.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Shirley will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and preferences and adjust methods over time. Together they decide which tools to try first and how to measure progress in real life.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. It also lets people continue consistent work while coping with health issues, caregiving responsibilities, or relocation. Ask about available session arrangements when you sign up so you can pick what fits your routine.