Graciela "Gracie” Wangsnes, LCSW

Graciela "Gracie" Wangsnes is a California-licensed therapist with 10 years of professional experience who provides bilingual care in English and Spanish. She holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and brings a warm, interactive style to clinical work. Her experience includes supporting people facing stress and anxiety, major depressive disorder, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, as well as challenges related to motivation, self-esteem, and confidence.

Wangsnes emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every session, tailoring both conversation and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs. Her approach integrates cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, psychodynamic, and rational-emotive methods so that therapy can address thoughts, emotions, and relational patterns together. She works with clients to build an open environment where thoughts and feelings can be expressed without fear of judgment.

Recognizing that seeking therapy takes courage, Wangsnes aims to make the first steps manageable and supportive. She collaborates with clients to set goals and adjust interventions over time, focusing on practical strategies and personal growth that reflect each individual’s values and circumstances.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Graciela "Gracie" Wangsnes draws on several evidence-informed approaches to help clients find practical ways forward. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, invites people to notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while clarifying values and committed actions - this can be useful for anxiety, stress, and motivation struggles. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve coping skills. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathic stance where the therapist listens deeply and supports the client’s own capacity for growth, which can be especially helpful for building self-esteem and processing relational or trauma-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Wangsnes works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods align with their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques over time as progress unfolds. This collaborative attitude helps ensure care feels personally relevant.

Online therapy options such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging offer flexibility for scheduling and communication style. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, maintain continuity when travel or life demands arise, and access licensed professionals from a range of locations within California.