- Anger management
- Coping skills
- Substance issues
About Andrea
Andrea Plate is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of practice. She works with adults who are dealing with anxiety, addiction, anger, grief, and major life changes. Her background includes long experience in public-sector and university settings.
For nearly 15 years she ran a residential substance abuse treatment program at the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs. That work focused on people experiencing homelessness and chronic mental illness. She now sees adults from the general population and brings that clinical experience into her sessions.
In session she uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to look at patterns of thought and behavior. She also uses Motivational Interviewing to support change and Client-Centered approaches to keep the work focused on the person in front of her.
Andrea teaches social welfare and addiction courses at a West Los Angeles university. Teaching helps her stay current with research and with the needs of people navigating recovery and life transitions. Her background in residential treatment informs how she approaches substance use and related stress.
She aims to help people manage anger that shows up at work, at home, or in relationships by focusing on clear skills and realistic goals. Sessions review what triggers anger, what helps reduce escalation, and what steps fit into a daily routine. This practical focus is paired with attention to underlying issues like grief, shame, and isolation.
How her approaches translate to online care
Andrea uses Client-Centered Therapy to keep sessions focused on the client’s priorities. That approach emphasizes listening, reflecting, and working at the person’s pace to address stress, anger, and relationship concerns.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to pinpoint unhelpful thought and behavior patterns. CBT offers concrete tools you can practice between sessions for issues like anxiety, low mood, or anger escalation. Motivational Interviewing is part of her work when people are deciding on change; it focuses on identifying personal reasons to change and building small, achievable steps.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She will discuss these methods with the client and together decide which fits their goals and preferences. That means sessions can emphasize practical skill-building, exploratory talk about underlying patterns, or a mix of both depending on needs.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten commute time, and allow for brief check-ins when that suits someone’s schedule. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises, homework, and pacing to work well in remote sessions without changing the basic goals of care.
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 address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, grief, depression, relationship and career concerns, and related issues.
What is her therapy style like?
She blends client-centered conversation with structured methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to produce practical coping strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of professional experience, including about 15 years running a residential substance abuse program at the West Los Angeles VA.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and practices in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.