Theresa Leal, LCSW

Licensed in California · 20 years in practice

Theresa Leal is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 20 years of experience.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 23219 · expires March 2027
NPI: 1407355126 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 20
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Theresa

Theresa Leal is a licensed clinical social worker in California with 20 years of experience. She focuses on practical, everyday concerns like parenting, family conflict, stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Theresa aims to make beginning therapy feel manageable for a worried parent or someone facing a big life change.

She works to create an open, nonjudgmental space where people can talk about what matters most. Sessions focus on understanding relationships, building motivation, and developing clearer, doable steps forward.

Background and approach

She listens for what a person already does well and then helps build on those strengths. Theresa blends approaches that connect relationships and current thinking patterns to real-life solutions. She uses attachment ideas to look at how bonds shape behavior, cognitive-behavioral techniques to address unhelpful thoughts, and solution-focused work to set short-term goals.

This mix helps with issues such as grief, trauma, anger, depression, ADHD-related struggles, and caregiving stress. She also supports concerns around LGBT identity, young adult transitions, aging and geriatric issues, self-harm thoughts, and compassion fatigue. Theresa explains ideas plainly and breaks problems into small steps that fit daily life.

Her style is collaborative and direct. She helps people set achievable goals, try new strategies between sessions, and reassess what’s working. Those who prefer flexible contact options can work with her using video, phone, chat, or messaging.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Theresa lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Approaches Theresa names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Online approaches that focus on relationships and solutions

Theresa uses attachment-based ideas to look at how important relationships shape feelings and behavior; this helps when patterns from close relationships affect parenting, intimacy, or self-worth. She also applies cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety or low mood. Solution-focused therapy is used to set short-term, practical goals so clients see progress quickly and build motivation.

Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Theresa collaborates with each person to identify goals and preferences, then adjusts methods as progress is made. Together they decide which techniques fit a client's situation and values, and they check in regularly to refine the plan.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is low or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat or text-based messaging can be useful for brief check-ins, checklists, or when written reflection feels easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into a busy family schedule or a changing routine.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does Theresa help with?

She helps people with family and parenting issues, self-esteem, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, ADHD, and related life changes.

What therapy style does she use?

Theresa uses attachment-based work, cognitive behavioral techniques, and solution-focused methods to set goals and change unhelpful thoughts and patterns.

How much professional experience is there?

She has 20 years of professional work experience supporting people through a range of personal and family concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

How are fees and payments handled?

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

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

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