Shira Hearn helps couples rebuild trust and intimacy using EFT, creating lasting connections and healing from past struggles.
In the heart of the small towns of Joplin, Webb City, and Carthage, Missouri, one therapist is dedicated to restoring the emotional bonds between couples. Shira Hearn, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has built her practice around helping partners reconnect, overcome past conflicts, and ultimately transform their relationships. Using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), she has spent over a decade guiding couples through the most challenging times of their relationships, offering a unique blend of directness, compassion, and expertise.
A Journey Rooted in Passion for Relationships
Shira’s path to becoming a leading couples therapist began a world away from Missouri. Originally from Jerusalem, Israel, she first built a successful career in the technology and telecommunications industries before following her passion for human connection. After moving to Los Angeles with her husband, she earned her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary. In 2019, after welcoming triplets, Shira and her husband sought a slower pace of life and relocated to Joplin, Missouri. There, she began her private practice, dedicating herself to helping couples in her community strengthen, repair, and rediscover their relationships. Trained in both Emotionally Focused Therapy and sex therapy, Shira combines the two approaches to help couples heal emotionally and physically—creating lasting change that transforms connection on every level.
“Marriage is sacred work—it’s where two people learn to see and be seen, to forgive, and to grow,” Shira Hearn reflected as she spoke about her passion for helping couples heal. “Every couple who walks through my door is fighting for something worth saving, and I never take that lightly. My job is to hold hope when they’ve run out and to help them find their way back to each other.”
Shira Hearn’s belief in the power of connection runs deep. “Healthy relationships are the heartbeat of strong families and thriving communities,” she explained. “When a couple heals, it’s not just about resolving conflict—it’s about restoring trust, intimacy, and emotional safety. That kind of renewal changes lives.”
Her approach to therapy is both personal and purposeful. “I care about every marriage I work with as if it were my own,” Shira said. “I don’t see clients as cases; I see them as stories still being written—and I want to help them find a hopeful next chapter. When couples stop fighting each other and start fighting for each other, everything changes.”
The Heart of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
At the core of Shira’s approach is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a research-backed method that helps couples explore the emotions and attachment patterns that shape their relationships. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EFT dives deep into the emotional needs and fears that often lie beneath surface-level conflicts. With over 40 years of research backing its effectiveness, EFT has been shown to help 70–75% of couples move from distress to recovery.
Shira emphasizes the importance of creating safety and understanding in her sessions, particularly when it comes to emotional vulnerability. “Healing doesn’t erase the past, it rewrites the story you tell about it,” she says. This shift in perspective allows couples to rebuild trust and intimacy, addressing the root causes of their disconnection rather than simply managing symptoms.
Many of Shira’s clients come to her after other forms of therapy have failed. They often feel stuck or disconnected, but with her guidance, they begin to experience real, lasting changes. “The moment you both stop fighting each other and start fighting for the relationship, everything changes,” Shira notes. Her approach is not about magic; it’s about emotional practice and dedication. Couples learn to communicate in ways that foster emotional safety, which leads to deeper intimacy.
A Specialized Focus on Sex Therapy
In addition to her work with couples, Shira is also a trained sex therapist. She helps individuals and couples explore their emotional and physical intimacy, addressing issues such as low sexual desire, pain during sex, performance anxiety, and emotional disconnection. Shira emphasizes that sex therapy is not about judgment or performance, it’s about fostering a safe environment for understanding and healing.
“Sex therapy offers a path toward closeness, confidence, and renewed connection,” she explains. “It’s not about fixing a problem; it’s about helping couples feel more secure and connected, both emotionally and physically.” This holistic approach enables Shira to guide couples in exploring the emotional dynamics that often affect their physical intimacy.
Shira treats a wide range of issues through sex therapy, including mismatched sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, recovery after infidelity, and emotional disconnection in long-term relationships. By addressing the emotional underpinnings of these challenges, Shira helps her clients develop a deeper, more fulfilling connection with their partners.
Transformation Through Vulnerability
One of the key aspects of Shira’s work is helping couples embrace vulnerability as a means of emotional growth. “Even after years of distance, a single moment of vulnerability can reopen the door to closeness,” she reflects. Her approach teaches couples that vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s a powerful tool for healing and growth. By creating a safe space where partners can express their feelings without fear of judgment, Shira fosters a deeper level of emotional intimacy.
“Every couple can learn to love better,” Shira says. “It’s not magic, it’s emotional practice.” This philosophy guides her work and helps her clients achieve lasting change. The work is not easy, but it is deeply rewarding. The transformation she facilitates in couples’ lives is a testament to the power of emotional connection and the importance of investing in relationships.
A Thriving Practice with a Waitlist
Shira’s practice has grown over the years, and she now has a waitlist for new clients, a clear sign of the impact she’s making in the lives of couples. She has built a reputation as a deeply effective and compassionate therapist who understands the complexities of relationships. Her clients appreciate her clarity, honesty, and commitment to helping them heal and reconnect.
Shira’s office in Webb City, Missouri, is a place where honesty, humor, and growth are valued. She creates an environment where couples can be vulnerable, work through their challenges, and rediscover the connection that brought them together in the first place. Her work is not about simply fixing problems, it’s about creating lasting change that strengthens the foundation of the relationship.
What’s Next for Shira Hearn and Radical Relationship Transformation?
Looking forward, Shira continues to expand her practice and deepen her expertise in Emotionally Focused Therapy and sex therapy. She is passionate about reaching even more couples in need of guidance and support, helping them navigate the complexities of their relationships and emotional intimacy.
As Shira’s practice grows, so does her commitment to making a difference in the lives of couples. Her focus on creating safe, compassionate spaces for healing has earned her the trust of clients in Joplin, Webb City, and Carthage, Missouri. She hopes to continue impacting the lives of those who are ready to reconnect, heal, and build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Ready to Transform Your Relationship?
If you’re ready to move from disconnection and conflict to trust, closeness, and understanding, Shira Hearn is here to help. With over a decade of experience and expertise in Emotionally Focused Therapy and sex therapy, she is committed to helping couples transform their relationships. Whether you’re struggling with communication, intimacy, or emotional disconnection, Shira can guide you through the process of rebuilding your bond.
Don’t wait, reach out to Shira today and take the first step toward a stronger, more connected relationship. Visit Radical Relationship Transformation website and Instagram to learn more about Shira’s services and schedule your consultation.
