Gary Youssef, LMFT, LIMFT

Gary Youssef is a licensed marriage and family therapist who brings a practical, family-centered approach to behavioral health. He holds LMFT and LIMFT credentials - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist - and has spent decades working with children, adolescents, adults, and families to address issues such as stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting challenges, addiction, trauma, grief, and life transitions.

He spent 14 years as a clinician and administrator in the central outpatient psychiatry clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego, a facility recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the nation's leading children’s hospitals, where he helped provide behavioral health services to more than 10,000 children, adults, and families. He also supported U.S. service members and their families while serving as a military family life counselor in Pediatrics at Naval Medical Center-San Diego. Outside clinical settings he volunteered with the San Diego Unified School District and coached youth baseball.

As a practical therapist, he integrates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, tailoring interventions to each family’s needs. Many clients report positive experiences and describe him as experienced, professional, friendly, kind, helpful, and effective. He is a father of two sons and enjoys athletics and cooking when he is not working with clients.

Approaches and Online Care for Individuals and Families

Gary integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy into his online practice. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating concerns, and coping with life changes. Solution-focused therapy emphasizes practical goals and strengths, helping clients and families build on what is working and develop clear steps toward desired outcomes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. He works collaboratively with each person or family to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules, geographic limitations, or varying comfort levels with therapy. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access licensed professionals from home or other convenient locations.