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GS Portrait of Gretchen Shay

Gretchen Shay

Compassionate social worker blending practical techniques

LCSW, LICSW Alabama

Experience
14 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Gretchen

About Gretchen

Gretchen Shay is a licensed clinical social worker with dual licensure as an LCSW and LICSW and 14 years of professional experience.

Background and approach

She has supported people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family challenges, grief, parenting concerns, eating and body image issues, trauma and abuse, and compassion fatigue, as well as related areas such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, blended family dynamics, codependency, and medical caregiving across the illness trajectory.

Her approach is warm, interactive, and respectful; she emphasizes sensitivity and avoids stigmatizing labels while tailoring conversations and treatment plans to each person’s situation. Gretchen draws on cognitive behavioral therapy alongside client-centered and emotionally focused methods, using motivational interviewing and narrative techniques as needed to help clients clarify goals, shift unhelpful patterns, and strengthen coping skills.

She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults and brings a practical, collaborative style to the therapeutic process. Gretchen holds licenses in Illinois and Alabama (LCSW and LICSW) and conducts sessions in English.

Prospective clients are invited to begin by completing a brief matching questionnaire and scheduling based on availability.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care



Gretchen uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and develop practical strategies for changing behaviors and emotional responses; this approach is often useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. She also draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy, which centers on understanding and shifting emotional responses within relationships to improve connection and resolve patterns that contribute to conflict or distress. In addition, client-centered techniques guide sessions by prioritizing the client's perspective and pacing, helping people feel heard while they explore goals and values.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. Gretchen partners with clients to assess which methods best align with their goals, preferences, and everyday realities, and she adjusts the blend of techniques as treatment progresses to reflect what is working for the individual.

Online therapy with her is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to fit consistent therapeutic work into busy lives and to maintain momentum between sessions while supporting access from across Alabama where she practices.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Gretchen commonly address?
She works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is described as warm and interactive, focusing on respect and sensitivity while avoiding stigmatizing labels and tailoring the work to each client's needs.
How long has she been practicing?
Gretchen has 14 years of experience working as a social worker and therapist across a variety of clinical settings and client concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds licensure as an LCSW and an LICSW, with license details IL LCSW 149013908 and AL LICSW 4865C, and her practice is based in Alabama.
In which languages does she offer services?
Sessions are offered in English only and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and scheduling.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that may be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsEating disordersDepression

Also works with

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityObsessions, compulsions, and OCDProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

14+ years

Licensed

Alabama, Illinois

Languages

English