About Me

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working with adults, couples, parents, and families. I believe therapy is most helpful when you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical, with attention to your individual needs, experiences, background, and goals.

I view each person within the context of the relationships and systems that have shaped their lives. Together, we may explore relationship patterns, family dynamics, and emotional processes while building greater self-awareness and finding new ways of relating to yourself and others.

I draw from a variety of evidence-based and relational approaches, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. I value working together to identify meaningful and realistic goals, recognize strengths, and explore possibilities for change.

Supporting parents is an important part of my work. My extensive experience working with children and adolescents gives me a developmental perspective and an understanding of the challenges families may experience at different stages. I work collaboratively with parents to better understand their child's needs, strengthen communication and connection, and develop practical ways of responding to emotional and behavioral challenges.

Before entering private practice, I provided individual and family therapy, parent support, crisis intervention, and mental health services to children, adolescents, and families in both a nonprofit agency and a private clinic. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in education, supporting students with a range of social-emotional and learning needs. These experiences have given me a broad perspective on development, relationships, and the different systems that influence our lives, and they continue to inform my work today.

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Sharon Shapiro, LMFT, California therapist providing virtual therapy for adults, couples, and parents.

Education

I earned a Master of Science in Counseling, with an emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling, a Master of Arts in Speech Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, all from San Francisco State University.

I also completed graduate-level teacher preparation at the Rhea Hirsch School of Education at Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles.

Outside of my work, I enjoy traveling with my family, gardening, and genealogy

Three ducks walking on grass near water, with benches and houses in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
People standing on a wooden bridge in a forest with tall trees, dense foliage, and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A rocky shoreline with large moss-covered boulders in the foreground, waves crashing against the rocks, and a large cliffside with patches of moss and grass on the right. The sky is clear and blue with a few birds flying.

Therapeutic Approach

I believe therapy should make space for you to identify what matters to you, rather than assume what you need. You may come with a specific concern or goal, or you may simply know that something in your life doesn't feel the way you would like it to. We can begin there.

My approach is collaborative, individualized, and integrative. I draw from different therapeutic approaches rather than relying on one method for everyone. This allows me to tailor our work to your needs, strengths, experiences, background, and goals. At different times, our work may involve exploring patterns and relationships, developing practical strategies, learning new skills, gaining a different perspective, or simply creating space to better understand what you are experiencing.

I also consider the relationships and systems that shape our lives. Exploring family and relationship patterns, including those that may extend across generations, can help us better understand ourselves, our responses, and the ways we relate to others.

I may offer perspectives, questions, tools, or information when they may be helpful, while respecting what you want to work on and the pace at which we move. Therapy is a collaborative process, and we can adjust our approach as your needs and goals evolve.

I recognize that people process information, emotions, and experiences differently. Therapy does not need to look the same for everyone. Together, we can find an approach that works for you and your way of experiencing the world.

Sharon Shapiro, LMFT #163256

You decide where we begin.

A Note About This Website

I have intentionally kept the information on this website concise. Looking for a therapist can already feel like a lot, and I want the information here to be clear and easy to navigate rather than overwhelming.

The areas of focus, therapeutic approaches, and professional experience described here are not intended to be a complete list of my training or the ways I may work with clients.

One of the most important things I have learned throughout my education and professional experience is that learning never stops. My three graduate programs taught me not only a great deal within their respective fields, but also how to continue learning, questioning, and growing. I remain committed to ongoing professional development and to adapting my work as knowledge, research, and the needs of the people I serve continue to evolve.