- CBT practice
- ACT methods
- Attachment focus
About Clare
Clare O'Toole is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 20 years of experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, self-esteem struggles, career questions, depression, relationship and family concerns, anger, and life transitions. Clare also supports people managing ADHD, compassion fatigue, and related issues such as attachment wounds and caregiver stress.
Clare uses practical, evidence-based methods in sessions. She draws on approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, and client-centered work. Sessions are collaborative and aimed at helping people notice patterns, try new responses, and build clearer goals.
In the first meetings she focuses on what brought the person in right now and what they hope to change. Conversations cover thoughts, emotions, behavior, and relationships in plain language. She helps people develop skills for managing strong feelings, reducing overwhelm, and improving communication.
Over time Clare mixes skills practice with attention to past relationship patterns when those patterns keep coming up. She helps people work through issues like abandonment, commitment worries, impulsivity, shame, and isolation. The emphasis is on small, steady changes that fit into day-to-day life.
Her background includes a master’s degree in professional counseling and long experience applying these methods with adults. People who want clear strategies combined with reflective conversation may find this approach useful.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values and taking committed action even when difficult thoughts or feelings show up. It is often used for anxiety, avoidance, and finding direction in life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and offers practical techniques for changing unhelpful patterns, which can help with mood, anxiety, and stress. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationship patterns shape current connections and helps people notice and shift those patterns in present relationships.Finding the right fit is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which approach or combination makes sense for their goals and preferences. That includes checking in about what feels useful and adjusting methods over time rather than sticking to a single model.
Confirm the current session options before booking, since the biography does not list specific formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins can work during a lunch break, or video sessions can support interactive skills practice. Phone or lower-bandwidth options may be useful when video is difficult. The focus is on practical ways to bring therapy into everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and family concerns, anger, life changes, and career questions. ADHD and compassion fatigue are also listed among her focus areas.
What is her style in sessions?
She uses a collaborative, nonjudgmental approach and mixes skills-based work with reflective conversation. Methods include CBT, ACT, DBT, attachment-based, and client-centered elements.
How much experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with adults on a range of concerns from mood and anxiety to relationship and life-transition issues.
Where is she licensed and working?
She is a CA LMFT, licensed in California. Sessions are offered in English and conducted from that location.
Can she work with people who live outside the US?
She does not accept international clients at this time. Sessions are offered in English for clients in her licensed region.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats. Please check the platform or contact the practice for exact session types.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session to begin.
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.