Angela Gardner, LCSW

Angela Gardner has worked in the mental health field for more than two decades and has practiced as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2018. As an LCSW - a licensed mental health professional trained to provide clinical social work services - she brings a broad base of experience from hospital and jail settings to outpatient care, supporting people facing acute mental health diagnoses, addiction, trauma, and those rebuilding their lives.

She has served diverse populations and is comfortable working with different backgrounds and belief systems. In addition to clinical practice, Angela has taught at the university level and maintains a commitment to both teaching and continual learning. Her style blends compassion with a sense of humor when appropriate, creating a respectful and human approach to therapy.

Angela uses a flexible, eclectic toolkit that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, and she adapts techniques to match each person’s needs. She encourages clients to take meaningful action toward change and offers support throughout that process, tailoring services to practical goals and personal values.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Angela often draws on Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes the client’s perspective, strengths, and personal values. This approach helps clients feel heard and supported while they explore self-esteem, relationship concerns, grief, and life transitions.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical, skills-based method that helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is commonly used for stress, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, and coping with addictive behaviors.

Motivational Interviewing is another tool in her practice; it focuses on enhancing motivation and commitment to change by exploring ambivalence and personal goals, which can be especially helpful for addiction, readiness for change, and managing life transitions.

Deciding on the right approach is a collaborative process. Angela and each client work together to identify goals, try methods that fit the client’s preferences, and adjust the plan as needed so the therapy remains responsive and practical.

Online therapy offers flexible access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier for clients to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and engage with therapists from different locations, while allowing therapists to tailor pacing and communication to each client’s needs.