- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Client-Centered methods
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About Gretchen
Gretchen Shay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Alabama with 14 years of experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, family and relationship concerns, and grief among other challenges. Gretchen writes plainly and meets people where they are to talk about what matters in day-to-day life.
She favors Emotionally-Focused Therapy as one of her main approaches and blends that with client-centered and cognitive behavioral ideas. Sessions are conversational and goal-focused. She listens for attachment patterns, strong emotions, and the unspoken meanings behind relationship struggles.
Gretchen has worked with people facing medical diagnoses and their caregivers, offering support through treatment and bereavement. She also has experience addressing eating and body image struggles, substance use and co-occurring concerns, and family-of-origin issues. Practical coping skills and clearer communication are common focuses in her work.
Her approach draws on narrative and motivational techniques to help people name their patterns and consider different choices. She uses short-term strategies alongside deeper emotional reflection depending on the issue. Clients can expect collaborative conversations that aim to make daily life more manageable.
Gretchen provides services in English and does not take international clients. Her practice uses a subscription billing model that can be canceled at any time, and session costs vary by location. To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online work
Gretchen lists Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) among her approaches. EFT focuses on identifying strong emotions and the interaction patterns that keep people stuck, which can help with relationship stress, attachment worries, and intense feelings that are hard to name.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which centers on listening and reflecting so people feel heard and can clarify their own goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) appears in her approach as well and offers concrete strategies for anxiety, mood, and behavior change through practical exercises and thought work.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Gretchen will collaborate with each person to decide which combination of EFT, client-centered listening, or CBT tools fit best for their goals and day-to-day life. That decision is guided by the client’s needs and preferences rather than a single fixed method.
Confirm the available session formats before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when helpful, and let someone avoid travel time. If you want to begin, complete the matching questionnaire and schedule a first session to discuss format and goals.
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 address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, parenting strain, body image and related issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her sessions are conversational and interactive. She combines Emotionally-Focused Therapy with client-centered listening and practical CBT tools.
How long has she been practicing?
Gretchen has 14 years of experience working as a social worker and therapist in clinical settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LCSW in Illinois and LICSW in Alabama and practices from Alabama.
What languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Session cost varies by location and uses a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.