- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Young adult struggles
About Patrick
Patrick O'Leary is a California licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 41 years of clinical experience. He works with adults facing addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, anxiety, depression, and the stresses of life change. Patrick also supports people dealing with family problems, grief, trauma, parenting strains, and challenges common to young adults.
Patrick uses straightforward conversation and practical techniques. He draws on client-centered methods to follow what matters to each person. He mixes cognitive behavioral ideas to spot unhelpful thinking patterns and mindfulness tools to ground people in stressful moments.
Sessions focus on clear goals. Patrick helps people identify patterns that cause repeated conflict or distress. He offers steps to improve communication, manage strong emotions, and reduce reliance on substances or maladaptive coping. Work may include looking at relationship scripts, addressing anger, or rebuilding after loss.
People often bring worries about career direction, feeling behind peers, or early-adult independence. Patrick frames those issues as normal challenges and helps make them more manageable with specific skills and check-ins. He also addresses complex diagnoses like bipolar disorder and mood disorders by supporting symptom management and everyday functioning.
His style is direct and practical. He aims to help clients practice new ways of relating and coping between sessions. To begin, readers are asked to confirm current session options before booking so they understand how to meet with him.
Approaches and online work with practical methods
Patrick uses client-centered therapy to follow what matters most to each person. That approach means sessions begin by listening to the client's priorities and building from their strengths. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors; it is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.He also draws on mindfulness practices to teach short grounding exercises that reduce reactivity in difficult moments. Narrative techniques are sometimes used to help people reframe painful stories about themselves and their relationships. These approaches are presented plainly so clients can try them between sessions and track small changes.
Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will review your goals, talk about what has helped in the past, and suggest a mix of methods. Together you can adjust focus as needs change so the work stays practical and relevant.
Please confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking. Knowing format options makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy routine, for example scheduling shorter check-ins around work, choosing phone if bandwidth is limited, or using video for deeper conversation and visual cues. Online work can make it simpler to keep regular appointments and apply new skills in everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
41+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He works with addiction, relationship and intimacy issues, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, eating issues, parenting strains, and young adult challenges.
What is his general therapy style?
He uses a practical, goal-oriented approach that combines client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness, narrative work, and solution-focused strategies.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 41 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of life challenges and mood concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LMFT licensed in California and practices in that state.
Can I work with him if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does he use?
Please confirm current session options before booking so you know whether he offers video, phone, or in-person meetings.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies by location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a 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.