Annette Malijen, LMFT

Annette Malijen is a California-licensed LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist) with 25 years of professional experience. She focuses on supporting people who are dealing with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, navigating relationship challenges, and managing depression. Annette emphasizes respectful, sensitive, and compassionate care, shaping conversations and treatment plans to match each client’s unique needs and circumstances. Her work centers on practical collaboration - listening closely, identifying goals, and adapting approaches so therapy fits the person rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all model. She acknowledges that beginning therapy can take courage and affirms the decision to start, offering steady guidance as clients move forward toward change and better functioning.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Therapy

Annette Malijen draws on client-centered therapy to create a supportive, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the pace and focus of work. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and tailoring sessions to what matters most to the individual, which can be especially helpful for relationship concerns, grief, and self-esteem issues.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a practical method that helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replace them with strategies that reduce anxiety, improve mood, and support healthier coping. CBT is commonly applied to anxiety, depression, stress, and patterns related to addiction or sleeplessness.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Annette works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. She reviews progress and adjusts the plan as needed so therapy remains aligned with the client’s priorities.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or limited local options. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals from home or wherever they are, making it easier to maintain consistency in care while balancing life’s other demands.