Brian Olden, LCSW

Brian Olden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in California with 45 years of clinical experience. He brings decades of practice supporting individuals, couples, and families through trauma, relationship struggles, grief, life transitions, and a broad range of emotional and behavioral concerns. As an LCSW he has advanced training in clinical social work and psychotherapy and applies that background to create practical, strengths-based plans that fit each person's circumstances.

Brian uses a flexible, collaborative approach to therapy, believing that goals should be set together with the person seeking help. He has specialized training working with military-related trauma and sexual trauma, and extensive experience treating adults with various trauma histories. His background also includes overseas living, which contributes to an awareness of cultural differences and varied life experiences.

He frequently assists people navigating relationship and family transitions, career and occupational changes, long-term illness or chronic pain, and the stresses faced by caregivers. Brian enjoys helping clients identify existing strengths, set achievable goals, and develop strategies to make meaningful progress. He works with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, parenting and fatherhood issues, intimacy challenges, ADHD, bipolar disorder, grief, and compassion fatigue.

Brian welcomes those ready to work toward change and supports each person in taking practical steps toward their objectives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Brian draws on client-centered therapy, which places the person's perspective and goals at the center of the work. This approach focuses on listening, empathy, and collaboration so clients can clarify what matters most and build on their own strengths to address relationship, life transition, and personal growth concerns.

He also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people identify unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and to develop practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties. CBT offers structured tools and exercises that can lead to measurable changes in mood and functioning.

For trauma-related concerns, Brian integrates EMDR techniques when appropriate to support processing distressing memories and symptoms related to traumatic events. EMDR can be a helpful option for reducing trauma-related distress and improving daily functioning when used by a trained therapist.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Brian works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule appointments around work, caregiving, or health limitations, and they allow therapy to continue when in-person meetings are impractical. The range of formats supports ongoing work on skills, coping strategies, and relationship issues in a way that fits each client’s life.