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Lesley Schwam

Lesley Schwam, LMFT

Therapist in California

Practical, goal-focused therapy for everyday challenges

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  • CBT and solution-focused
  • Behavior change emphasis
  • Goal setting and skills

About Lesley

Lesley Schwam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She brings 12 years of clinical experience and focuses on practical strategies that help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and addictions. Lesley also addresses relationship and intimacy-related issues, career shifts, and challenges linked to ADHD.

Lesley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy in sessions. She helps people identify small, achievable steps and change unhelpful thinking patterns. Early work often includes basic self-care, coping skills, and boundary setting.

Sessions typically focus on clear goals. Lesley supports clients in building short- and long-term plans and practicing positive communication skills. She emphasizes behavior change that can happen day to day and tracks progress in concrete ways.

Her background includes supporting people through trauma, PTSD symptoms, panic attacks, and major life transitions such as finding a new job or shifting roles in retirement. She also works with blended family issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness concerns, and difficulties connected to family of origin.

People meet Lesley to learn coping tools, practice new behaviors, and move toward specific life goals. She guides the process with straightforward techniques and a focus on practical outcomes rather than abstract theory.

How CBT and Solution-Focused Work Online

Lesley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT breaks problems into manageable parts so clients can test changes between sessions and see what helps. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, practical steps and on what clients want to achieve next rather than on lengthy analysis of the past.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Lesley collaborates with each person to choose techniques that match their goals and preferences. She will adjust methods as needs change and as clients learn which tools help most.

Confirm the current online session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when that suits the week. Many people find it simpler to keep momentum toward goals when therapy fits into their regular routine.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesADHD

Additional focus areas

Blended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused Therapy

Experience

12+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Lesley help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, ADHD, and related life changes.

How does she approach therapy?

Her approach uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to identify steps clients can take and to change unhelpful thinking patterns.

What is her clinical background?

Lesley has 12 years of experience and has helped people with trauma, PTSD symptoms, panic, grief, and major life transitions.

What are her credentials and location?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, licensed in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Lesley?

Select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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