About Me - Shirley Balusek Johnson, M.Ed., LBSW, LPC

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Hi Y'all,


I am Shirley Balusek Johnson, M.Ed., LBSW, LPC and I would like to help you create a stable life in this unstable world, find peace even while things around you are in chaos, and focus on what you can control and not on what you cannot. "People tend to spend most of their time focusing on what they cannot change. Then they have no time to spend on what they can change." I can help you discover the difference.


After my divorce in 1981, I started studying to learn what it takes to have a successful marriage. I remained single for 6 years until I married my husband, whom I have been married to for over 36 years. I have been applying what I have learned to this marriage and to help others.


In 2003, I established Stable Life Counseling Center, LLC, where I started providing couples counseling, court-ordered anger management sessions, and family counseling. During my 30+ years offering counseling, I spent more than 15 years working in the area school districts helping students and their families, traveled part-time counseling for the military for 11 years, and have seen clients in my private practice.


I was the first Equine Assisted Therapist in South Texas. Because I was raised on a Texas ranch and had been competing in rodeos since I was young, I turned to horses for help with my problems. In fact, since my dad was a calf roper, it has been said that I've been riding horses since I was 3 months old.


Now I have decided not to provide Equine Assisted Therapy anymore because my last and main therapy horse, Rojo, has recently passed away. I will still provide counseling using other techniques with my clients.


My focus now is on helping couples and adults ages 18+. Through my over 30+ years of experience, I have created Anger Management, Pre-Marital, and Life Vision programs.


The Life Vision is available for the 5 stages of adulthood:


1. Single Adult

2. Married

3. Parenting

4. Empty Nest

5. Retirement


Do you know how to pick a spouse for a long-term relationship or struggle with anger management?  I have developed a Pre-marriage program that has been approved by the State of Texas and an Anger Management program that I have used for court-ordered clients since 2004. It has been approved by area district attorneys and probation departments and other state agencies.


MY THERAPY APPROACHES


Every client is different, and the approach that works for one individual may not necessarily work for another. That is why I offer a variety of different approaches and techniques. Some common approaches I use are:


• Relationship

• Psycho-educational

• Strengths-based

• Brief Cognitive Therapy


MY CAREER EXPERIENCE


Because of my extensive experience in a number of industries, I am able to help clients from many different backgrounds. In addition to ranching my entire life, working in the trucking industry, and working in the oil and gas industry for more than 8 years, I also have experience as:


• Business Owner - trucking industry, private counseling practice, oil & gas gauging and others

• Accountant - my first degree is in accounting and I have worked for CPA's and small business

owners

• College Instructor - taught Business Math and Business English

• School Social Worker - worked in the high schools for 9 years

• Military Family Life Counselor - traveled to different bases to counsel part- time the different branches of the military for 11 years

• Oil and Gas Gauger - was the first woman to actually work in the oilfield in the part of Texas for 8 years, over 35 years ago

• Wife - was married for 9 years, divorced for 6, and have been remarried for over 36 years

• Mom - have 2 grown sons who have served in the military, Army and Air Force

• Grandma - have 4 grandchildren that I love.


As you can see, God has guided my path in so many directions, but I have always refocused on what I truly want out of life: enjoying my family while helping others. That is why I have created the Life Vision program. It leads to a more fulfilling life compared to goalsetting and allows God to guide my path. Every experience that I have had has made me a better person for my next adventure.