Licensed clinical social worker recordCalifornia
Theresa Leal, LCSW
California
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Family and Parenting
Continue with TheresaCredentials check
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in California
- LCSW, licence 23219
- NPI
- 1407355126
- Experience
- 20 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
These details come from information Theresa supplied to BetterHelp. A licence can be checked with the social work board of the state that issued it, and an NPI with the national registry.
AAbout
- Attachment-based work
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-focused goals
About Theresa
Theresa Leal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California with 20 years of professional experience helping people manage family conflict, parenting challenges, motivation, and self-esteem. She focuses on practical problem solving and clear communication to help people feel more confident in daily life.
Theresa uses straightforward conversation to identify what is getting in the way of change. She draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how past relationships shape current reactions. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to spot unhelpful thinking and solution-focused work to set small, achievable goals.
Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented. Theresa helps people break problems into manageable steps. She works with clients to build skills they can use between sessions, such as coping strategies for stress and ways to handle difficult conversations at home.
She has experience with a broad range of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. She also addresses aging and geriatric issues, self-harm, and concerns common to young adults.
Theresa practices in California and conducts work in English. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Costs vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
BHow sessions work
How attachment, CBT and solution-focused work translate to online care
Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape trust and reactions in current relationships. Online sessions may use that framework to notice patterns in how someone connects or withdraws from others and to practice different ways of relating.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying new behaviors. In remote sessions this often means reviewing specific situations, tracking thoughts between meetings, and testing small behavior changes over a week.
Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on concrete goals and small steps toward them. It can be useful when someone wants quick, practical changes like improving communication with a family member or building a daily routine.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That conversation helps prioritize which techniques to try first and how to measure progress.
Confirm the current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Those practical benefits often help people maintain momentum while they try new strategies.
CAreas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
DQuestions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She helps people with family conflict, parenting issues, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, depression, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. Additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, self-harm, and young adult concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and goal-oriented, using conversational sessions to set small steps forward. She blends attachment-based ideas, cognitive behavioral techniques, and solution-focused methods.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional work experience in clinical social work and related practice settings.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and is licensed in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and how much do they cost?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988. More crisis numbers