Hi, I’m Shirley Noël Toby, LMFT, M.Div.
I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder of HopeSent Marriage and Family Therapy. My work is grounded in collaboration, thoughtful care, and attention to the relational contexts that shape our lives. I believe therapy is most meaningful when it honors both where someone has been and what they hope for moving forward.
My Approach
As a therapist, I strive for attunement through clarity, reflection, and collaboration. I approach therapy as a shared process, listening closely for patterns, emotions, and meaning while holding space with care and clarity. Sessions are thoughtfully paced, allowing room for exploration without pressure or urgency.
Rather than directing or fixing, I work alongside clients to support understanding, agency, and growth through connection.
Who I Work With
I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, and roles that carry emotional responsibility. This includes clergy and clergy spouses, first responders, first-generation adults, and those balancing leadership, caregiving, or relational demands.
My work is informed by cultural sensitivity and an understanding of how identity, generational expectations, and responsibility intersect with emotional well-being.
Spirituality, Meaning, and Care
My background includes formal theological training, which informs my sensitivity to the ways faith, belief, and meaning can shape emotional and relational experiences. Spirituality is approached as a client-led area of exploration — honoring personal belief, questioning, and the impact of faith systems without prescribing or directing any particular worldview.
This includes thoughtful support for those navigating spiritual transition, deconstruction, or healing from spiritual harm.
Professional Grounding
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and engage in ongoing professional development to support thoughtful and ethical care. My clinical interests include perinatal mental health, intimacy-focused work and clinical supervision, areas in which I continue to deepen my training.
If you’re considering therapy and wondering whether this might be a good fit, you’re welcome to reach out. I would be glad to explore next steps with you.