- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
About Cathleen
Cathleen Stafford is a California licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of professional experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, parenting strains, intimacy-related concerns, and young adult issues. Her practice pays attention to real-life problems like relationship conflict, life purpose questions, and the pressure of new adult roles.
Stafford uses straightforward, person-focused conversations. She starts by listening to what matters most and builds on a person's existing strengths. Sessions are practical and aim to break worries into manageable steps rather than rely on abstract talk.
Her approach draws on several methods to match different needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify unhelpful thinking and test new behaviors. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on understanding and changing how people respond in close relationships. Internal Family Systems looks at internal parts and how they relate to each other.
Across 25 years she has worked with issues such as blended family challenges, caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and postpartum depression. She also addresses forgiveness, infidelity, and veteran or armed forces issues when they come up in therapy.
People often come for help with social anxiety, clarity about life purpose, or the strain of parenting and relationships. Stafford encourages clients to set concrete goals and review progress regularly. She asks practical questions and helps people test new habits between sessions.
If you want to start, she invites you to use the online matching process to schedule an initial session and see how her style fits your needs.
How Cathleen’s approaches translate to online care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and supporting your own goals. In practice this means sessions start with your concerns and the therapist follows your lead to identify steps you want to try. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you spot thought patterns and test new behaviors to reduce anxiety or low mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) looks at patterns in close relationships and helps change how people respond to each other to improve connection.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with you about your goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful. Together you decide whether to focus on thoughts and skills, relationship patterns, or internal parts and then adjust the plan as you go.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work or studies, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. They can also let you try therapy without needing to rearrange your whole day. If you have questions about how sessions are scheduled or what to expect in a first appointment, use the matching questionnaire to note your needs before booking.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting and intimacy-related issues, and young adult issues. Additional focuses include blended family issues, caregiver stress, and communication problems.
How would she describe her therapy style?
She uses a person-focused, practical style that builds on your strengths. Methods include client-centered work alongside CBT and emotionally-focused approaches to relationship patterns.
How much experience does she have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with adults on family and relationship concerns as well as mood and anxiety issues.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a California LMFT (licensed marriage and family therapist) and practices in California.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing depends on where you are located.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.