- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Goal setting and skills
About Lesley
Lesley Schwam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 12 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and anger, and guides those navigating life changes such as job shifts or new roles. Sessions emphasize practical steps and skill-building rather than long lectures or complex theory.
Lesley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to work on real problems. She helps clients notice unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. She also focuses on small, reachable goals to create forward momentum in day-to-day life.
Early work in therapy typically includes building coping skills, basic self-care routines, and boundary-setting tools. She introduces short- and long-term goals and practices simple communication techniques that can be used right away. These are taught in concrete ways so people can test them between sessions.
Lesley has experience with trauma and PTSD, panic attacks, addiction concerns, and family or relationship stresses. She also supports people dealing with caregiver strain, chronic illness, body image, and issues tied to family of origin. Therapy sessions include practical strategies for managing angry feelings and reducing repeated cycles of frustration.
Her style is straightforward and goal oriented. Lesley encourages clients to try small experiments and notice what changes. Progress is measured by real-life shifts in behavior and clearer next steps for moving forward.
How Lesley uses CBT and Solution-Focused work online
Lesley draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice the thoughts that fuel stress, anxiety, and angry reactions. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and actions so clients can try small behavior changes and see what helps. Solution-Focused Therapy centers on short-term goals and next steps, identifying what already works and expanding those successful actions.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Lesley will review your concerns and preferences and then recommend strategies to try. Clients and therapist decide together which tools to emphasize and adjust as progress and priorities change.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow quicker check-ins, and let people practice new communication skills in real time. Some formats involve less video which can be helpful when bandwidth or a shorter check-in is needed. Discuss practical needs during your match process so session length and structure fit everyday life rather than disrupting it.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Lesley help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, anger, trauma, addictions, relationship and family issues, life transitions, ADHD, and related topics.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Lesley uses practical, goal-focused methods and teaches coping and communication skills. Sessions focus on small experiments and behavior changes you can try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working with trauma, panic, addiction concerns, grief, and life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - LMFT - licensed in California and practices from that state.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Confirm current session options before booking as the biography does not list specific formats. Please check the platform for the exact formats Lesley uses.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Lesley?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.