- Client-centered therapy
- Mindfulness practice
- Stress and anxiety
About Gayle
Gayle Bradley-Starkes is a licensed clinical social worker with LCSW-C and LICSW credentials and 27 years of experience in mental health care. She works with adults who are managing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, anger, addictions, and related concerns. Sessions focus on practical steps clients can use in day-to-day life.
Gayle begins by listening to each person's story and strengths. She uses a client-centered way of working that centers the person's goals. Mindfulness techniques are included to help with stress, sleep, and emotional regulation when feelings run high.
In sessions she helps people name triggers and notice patterns that make anger or frustration worse. She helps clients identify small, achievable changes to reduce conflict and improve communication. Work can include coping tools for sleep, attention, or impulse control when those areas get in the way.
Her background includes long-term work with grief, family of origin issues, adoption and foster care matters, and caregiving stress. Gayle also addresses intimacy-related concerns, codependency, and problems with commitment and trust.
Practical coaching elements are used alongside therapy to help clients build everyday routines. She supports people dealing with bipolar challenges and ADHD-related struggles by focusing on structure and realistic strategies.
To begin, readers are encouraged to use the site process to match and schedule a first session. Gayle works in Maryland and conducts sessions in English.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-centered therapy focuses on the person's own goals and perspectives. Online sessions using this approach typically involve active listening, reflecting what the person says, and helping them set clear, realistic steps to try between meetings. This method helps with relationship conflicts, decision making, and sorting through strong emotions.Mindfulness therapy teaches simple practices for noticing thoughts, breathing, and bodily sensations. These short exercises can reduce reactivity and help with sleep and daily stress. They are practical tools people can use at work, at home, or when tension starts to rise.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods to emphasize based on goals, day-to-day demands, and personal preferences. That collaborative process helps shape session focus and homework tasks.
The biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people practice techniques in their usual settings. Licensed professionals often adapt exercises so they work well in remote sessions and to match the client's pace.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
27+ years
Listed in
Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, anger, addictions, trauma, sleep issues, self-esteem, bipolar and ADHD related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered style that puts the person's goals first and adds mindfulness techniques to support emotion regulation and stress management.
How much experience does she have?
She has 27 years of professional experience in mental health practice.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds LCSW-C and LICSW credentials and works in Maryland. The LCSW-C is indicated as Maryland.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.
Which session formats are available?
The biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to start working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.