Dr. Shirley O. Kauffman , PhD, MFC
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #LMFT-31579
Thousand Oaks – Mon, Wed & Thu
Online Counseling – Mon, Wed & Thu
Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes even the strongest people need a little bit of help to work through some of life’s more challenging problems. Everyone has battles to fight and hurdles to overcome at some point. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, or another issue, there is hope for a better tomorrow. As your counselor, I will walk with you as you navigate difficult life transitions. Together we will identify patterns in your life and see how your thoughts and learned behaviors have impacted what you believe about yourself and how you can move forward toward your goals, with God’s help.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
Depending on your needs and circumstances, my goals as your counselor include helping you:
- resolve the issues that led you to seek therapy
- discover new ways to solve your problems
- get unstuck from unhealthy patterns in your life
- find new ways to manage stress, anxiety, anger, depression, loss, or other emotional issues you may be dealing with
- improve your self-esteem
- boost your self-confidence
- learn to rely on the Lord and His strength
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a supportive, encouraging, relaxed environment for you to share the concerns and challenges you face. I will listen carefully to your unique circumstances and will help you gain insight, understanding, and perspective. My aim is to make difficult material as easy as possible so you can experience the healing you desire. Together we will develop a treatment plan to meet your needs so you can live a healthy, God-honoring life by His grace and strength.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
As a Christian practitioner, I understand the overlap that exists between spiritual and mental health challenges. Following your lead and level of comfort, I will help you integrate your faith into the steps you take to reach your goals. Through our sessions, my hope is that you will reach a place of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Qualifications & Experience
I hold a PhD in Psychology from California Graduate Institute and a BA in Business Administration from California State University Fullerton. I am also a Certified Addictions-Informed Mental Health Professional, Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional, and Member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
My Call to Christian Counseling
I’ve had a heart for hurting children from a very young age. In high school I walked the Tortilla Marathon from Santa Barbara to Tijuana to raise money for kids living in the dumps. I discovered in my college years that hurting children turned into hurting adults, and I wanted to do something to help ease the struggle and give hope for the future.
I joined the Care Team at my church and took a course from the American Association of Christian Counselors and knew I wanted to focus my career in the field of Christian Counseling. As Christians, I believe we see the world differently and being able to incorporate that into sessions with clients has some of the greatest impact for change.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
I love to travel to new places and experience new people, cultures, and food. New restaurant experiences are one of my favorite things. I also enjoy cooking and I like trying new recipes at home. My newest hobby is sailing, and being with my family on our boat is one of my greatest pleasures.
Areas of Expertise / Specialties
- Couples Counseling
- Codependency
- Depression
- Family Counseling
- Grief and Loss
- Individual Counseling
- Infidelity and Affairs
- Marriage Counseling
- OCD
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Premarital Counseling
- Relationship Issues
- Sexual Abuse
- Spiritual Development
- Women’s Issues
Anxiety
Is anxiety taking over your life? Does it feel like you can’t control it no matter how hard you try? If so, I’m confident that Christian counseling for anxiety in Agoura Hills can help. I offer the effective forms of treatment to help you find lasting relief from anxiety.
Therapy can help you uncover the underlying causes of your worries and fears, learn how to relax, look at situations in a new, less frightening way, and develop better coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, I invite you to contact me today.
Couples Counseling
Do you feel like you’re not being heard by your partner? Or not appreciated? Are you dealing with an issue in your relationship related to a lack of faithfulness, money, parenting, your in-laws, or work? Whether you’re experiencing smaller issues or potentially relationship-breaking challenges, Christian couples therapy in Agoura Hills can help you feel valued, heard, and connected.
We provide a non-judgmental, supportive environment where you and your partner can express your individual wants and needs. We offer catered treatment plans using evidence-based techniques and therapies to build confidence, openness, and respect in your relationship. We’ll work together to improve your relationship with each other for the long-haul.
If you’re ready to experience lasting, positive change in your relationship, please contact me today for an appointment.
Family Counseling
Are there tensions within your family? Do you feel like you’re not being heard? Are there significant underlying issues between your family members that need to be addressed? Challenges in the home can result in disagreements, disengagement, and even serious conflict.
Through Christian family counseling in Agoura Hills, you and your family can improve your relationships, creating authentic communication and respect in order to heal past or current emotional wounds. Christian family counseling can also help you and each member of your family could feel validated, heard, and better understood.
If you’re ready to experience renewed peace in your home, please contact us today for an appointment.
Individual Counseling
Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Is low self-esteem adversely impacting your life, your happiness, or even your success? Do you feel generally stressed or angry? Would life be happier if you could stop those destructive thoughts and behaviors?
If so, you are not alone – and individual counseling in Agoura Hills may be the ideal treatment approach for you.
At Agoura Hills Christian Counseling, we aim to ease your suffering, improve your problems, and help you live a healthier, happier life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for individual counseling.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Thousand Oaks – Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Online Counseling – Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and families looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived.
Insurance: As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 2.97% plus $0.15 per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
Testimonials
I have known Shirley for many years. She is kind, caring and most all passionate. I highly recommend Shirley.
Brad Anderson
Google Review
I have known Shirley O. Kauffman, PhD, MFC for over 14 years as we both serve on the board and as members of the organization Childhelp. She has deep empathy and understanding of human nature and works well with people. I recomend her as a therapist and a friend.Suzzy Canny Lake Balboa CA
Suzzy Canny
Google Review
Dr. Shirley is not only a kind and compassionate woman, but a wise and trustworthy source for me to share my good days and bad ones. I have always admired her for her biblical worldview. Everything she shares with me is filtered through the lens of scripture. It is so nice to know that I can get good and godly counsel from someone that is not only nice, but that shares the same beliefs as I do. The world gives much different advice —-focusing on self, and self help. Dr. Shirley has encouraged me not only to take care of myself, but to love others as a way to serve God. I highly recommend her.
Claire Guthrie
Google Review