Gretchen is a wonderful, caring therapist who goes above and beyond for her clients.
Gretchen Shay, LICSW
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Gretchen is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Gretchen. View 13 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Alabama and Illinois
Recent reviews
The best step I ever took to seek help! She’s worth it!
More about Gretchen
- 14 years' experience
- Female
- LICSW, LCSW
I am a licensed clinical social worker licensed in Illinois and Alabama with over 13 years of experience working as a social worker/therapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, addiction, co-dependency, interventions and family dynamic issues. I also have experience working with individuals going through various medical diagnosis as well their caregivers from diagnosis to end of life and grief and loss therapy. I have worked with children, adolescents and adults.
My therapy style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating anyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in stigmatizing labels. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic and rational-emotive therapy. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you.
I look forward to working with you!
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Addictions
Family conflicts
Eating disorders
Depression
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Coping with life changes
Compassion fatigue
Abandonment
Attachment issues
Blended family issues
Body image
Cancer
Co-morbidity
Codependency
Commitment issues
Dependent personality
Divorce and separation
Drug and alcohol addiction
Eating and food-related issues
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Forgiveness
Hoarding
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Infidelity
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Self-harm
Social anxiety and phobia
Trichotillomania
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues
Treatment Approaches
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Licenses
Gretchen Shay's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1962731968.
- LICSW · Alabama · 4865C · Expires September 2025
- LCSW · Illinois · 149013908 · Expires November 2025
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling, sometimes called teletherapy, refers to talk therapy delivered remotely through digital platforms, such as video calls, phone calls, or chat. It can be a great option for people who face barriers to traditional face-to-face therapy, such as those living in remote areas, individuals with mobility issues, or people with busy schedules that make it difficult to attend in-person sessions.
Teletherapy also offers greater convenience and flexibility, allowing clients to access care from the comfort of their homes. Research shows that the treatment outcomes with online counseling are often just as effective as with traditional therapy, providing a viable alternative for individuals seeking mental health support.
Reviews for Gretchen Shay
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Gretchen is a wonderful, caring therapist who goes above and beyond for her clients.
The best step I ever took to seek help! She’s worth it!
She has been able to do what most people haven’t, gotten thru to me and helped me understand myself better. I couldn’t be happier with my therapist!
Amazing therapist
I started BetterHelp with a different therapist who was fine, but I am over the moon that I decided to switch and was matched with Gretchen! She listens to my concerns and provides unbiased feedback and is great at giving “homework” to ensure I’m using what I’m hearing/ learning! She is legitimately the best therapist I have ever had. (I’ve been in therapy for 18 years). Would HIGHLY recommend!
Gretchen is fantastic. Her demeanor and attention to detail are really appreciated. I can tell she is thinking about solutions and gives me things to think about between sessions.
There are many people that say they understand but only a select few who actually take the time to understand. And she is one of them. I feel heard, understood, and guided after our sessions. I don’t feel lost searching for where I need to go for answers, she helps direct me to the path where I can self-reflect to find them. The one thing you must understand is no one gets you anywhere except you, but I can confidently say Gretchen does one hell of a job getting you on your way.
Gretchen is absolutely wonderful. She's knowledgeable and able to connect with you as a person. I very much enjoy working with her!
Gretchen is attentive and encouraging. Helped immensely!
Thank you.
Gretchen is awesome! She takes the time to understand you and build a rapport prior to counseling through your concerns. She is attentive to detail and supportive of your goals. Because of Gretchen, I feel more confident and noticed significant improvement in my mental health overall. I strongly recommend her, she’s amazing!
I’ve never had therapy before but have been wanting to do it for years. I’m so glad I did! Gretchen is such a lovely person and really made me feel at ease straight away as I was quite nervous by the whole thing. We’ve covered a lot already and I really feel like I’m making progress so far! She never makes me feel judged or ashamed and I feel she really listens to me and gives me great tools and things to work on after each session. Definitely get in touch with Gretchen if you want to feel better and work on things!
Gretchen is the best counselor I’ve ever spoken to
Frequently asked questions
Does Gretchen Shay offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Gretchen Shay works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Gretchen Shay speak?
Gretchen Shay speaks English.
How many years of experience does Gretchen Shay have?
Gretchen Shay has 14 years of experience.
Where is Gretchen Shay licensed to practice?
Gretchen Shay is licensed to practice in Alabama and Illinois.
Does Gretchen Shay accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Gretchen Shay does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Gretchen Shay offer?
Gretchen Shay offers clients Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy.
How can I communicate with Gretchen Shay?
Gretchen Shay can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Gretchen Shay?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.