- Client-focused care
- Evidence-based tools
- Practical skills
About Sheila
Sheila Owens is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California who helps people navigate stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, depression, and grief. She also supports those facing parenting challenges, career concerns, trauma and abuse, bipolar mood issues, and the impacts of life changes. Sheila lists codependency among the topics she focuses on and works with people on communication, commitment, and trust issues.
She brings eight years as an LCSW and three decades of earlier work in mental health as a case manager and case coordinator. That mix of hands-on counseling and community-level experience shapes her practical style. Sessions are collaborative and grounded in everyday goals rather than jargon.
Her approach adapts to each person. Sheila uses client-centered methods to follow what matters most to the client, cognitive behavioral tools to target unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, and mindfulness practices to build awareness and calm. She may also draw on DBT skills and EMDR when appropriate to address intense distress or traumatic memories.
Sheila aims to make therapy a respectful, encouraging space. She will listen for your priorities, then tailor conversations and a plan to match them. The process is about small, steady steps toward better coping, clearer communication, and greater confidence.
Outside clinical work she has been active in community efforts to reduce stigma around mental health. That background informs her emphasis on practical supports and on helping people stay engaged with their goals.
Therapeutic approaches you can try online
Sheila uses client-centered therapy to focus sessions on what matters most to each person. That approach means the therapist listens first and shapes conversations around your priorities rather than following a fixed script.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT provides concrete strategies for changing unhelpful thinking and building new habits for dealing with anxiety, depression, or stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are another tool she may bring in for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. DBT offers step-by-step skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Sheila will talk with you about what you want to change, try methods that fit your goals, and adjust plans based on what helps. That collaborative process helps match techniques to your needs and preferences.
If you are considering online sessions, check the current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online work can make it simpler to schedule brief check-ins, continue progress between in-person visits, or fit therapy into a busy day. Talk with Sheila about practical arrangements and what will best support your goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Sheila commonly address?
Sheila supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, self-esteem, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting and life transitions. She also lists codependency, abandonment, body image, and infidelity among focus areas.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. She uses client-centered listening, then adds practical tools to meet the client's goals.
What is her professional background?
Sheila has eight years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and about thirty additional years in mental health work as a case manager and case coordinator.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds a California LCSW license and practices in California.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.