- CBT and solution-focused
- Skills for daily stress
- Focus on clear goals
About Lesley
Lesley Schwam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She uses practical, goal-oriented methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and life transitions. Her approach focuses on small, everyday changes that add up over time.
Lesley emphasizes clear, simple steps in early sessions. She helps people build self-care routines and coping skills. Together they set short- and long-term goals and practice boundary and communication skills.
She often applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors that keep problems going. Solution-Focused Therapy is used to spot current strengths and create next-step plans. Those approaches are chosen to match what a person wants to accomplish in therapy.
Lesley has worked in the field for 12 years and has experience with trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, and substance-related concerns. She also supports people facing career shifts, retirement adjustments, and other major life changes. She uses straightforward tools to help people move forward.
In sessions she works on concrete skills like setting boundaries, improving communication, and developing coping strategies for chronic pain, caregiving stress, and emotional burnout. Lesley helps people discover manageable steps that fit their daily life.
People who come to her typically leave with a clearer plan, practiced skills, and a sense of progress toward the goals they set together.
How Lesley uses CBT and solution-focused work online
Lesley frequently draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice the thoughts and behaviors that keep them stuck, then practice small changes to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood. Solution-Focused Therapy is used to identify existing strengths and build simple next steps toward a preferred future, which can be helpful for goal setting and life transitions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals and try methods that match the person’s needs and preferences. If an approach isn’t working well, they adjust the plan together so sessions stay useful and practical.
Confirm session formats before booking, as specific options are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins between in-person commitments. It can also make sessions simpler to attend when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Talk with the therapist about what will work best for scheduling, length, and structure so sessions fit everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Lesley help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, self esteem, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, anger, career changes, ADHD, and coping with life changes including disasters.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and goal-oriented, using tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to build coping skills and short-term plans.
What is her professional background?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working with trauma, PTSD, panic attacks, grief, and major life transitions among other concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does cost and payment work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Lesley?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.