Shirley Cayko, LCSW
Licensed in Montana · 18 years in practice
Shirley Cayko is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Montana with 18 years of experience.
License and registration
- LCSW, Montana
- BBH-LCSW-LIC-803 · expires December 2026
- NPI
- 1659566495 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 18
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.
About Shirley
Shirley Cayko is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Montana with 18 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and the fallout from trauma and abuse. Her work often focuses on building motivation, self-esteem, and confidence for everyday life.
Shirley approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She adapts conversations and care to match what a person needs right now. That might mean short-term coping skills or a longer plan to address deeper patterns.
Background and approach
Her practice includes support for grief, anger, bipolar mood concerns, relationship strain, and LGBTQ issues. She also addresses aging and geriatric concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and challenges tied to life transitions. Shirley pays attention to the practical effects these issues have on daily routines and relationships.
Therapy draws on client-centered work, cognitive behavioral strategies, dialectical behavior skills, existential reflection, and mindfulness. These tools are used to help people notice unhelpful thoughts, learn new coping skills, and reconnect with values that matter to them. Taking that first step can feel hard, and Shirley acknowledges the courage it takes.
She works collaboratively to shape goals and a plan that fit each person's life and priorities.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Shirley lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Avoidant personality
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Communication problems
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Workplace issues
Approaches Shirley names
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
Approaches that guide online sessions
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and meeting a person where they are. The therapist follows the client's lead, reflects what they say, and helps them find their own answers. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, adds skill work around emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clear communication to help manage intense feelings.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Shirley will collaborate with clients to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and comfort level. That means checking in, trying tools, and adjusting the plan as progress and priorities shift.
Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when that helps. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit into a short break. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief check-ins, skill prompts, and ongoing support between longer sessions. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into a busy life.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does Shirley commonly address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, bipolar concerns, self-esteem, coping with life changes, grief, anger, and relationship issues. Additional focus areas include aging, chronic illness, caregiver stress, and immigration-related concerns.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a collaborative, respectful style that adapts to each person's needs. Conversations often combine listening with practical skills and reflection.
How many years has she practiced?
She brings 18 years of professional experience to her clinical work in Montana.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Montana.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
She conducts video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.
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