Henry Ostendorf , LPCC

Henry Ostendorf is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) based in San Francisco, California, with over twenty years of experience supporting people through psychological and social distress. As an LPCC he holds a professional counseling license and brings long-standing clinical experience to work that is focused, practical, and respectful. He limits his practice to male-identified clients, welcoming both cisgender and transgender men of any sexual orientation, and aims to create a resourceful, empathetic space for each person he sees.

His schedule is often more flexible than the appointment slots that appear online, and prospective clients are encouraged to request specific days or times when needed; he will make bookings whenever his schedule allows. If a platform error matches a female subscriber with him, that can be corrected by selecting the "change counselor" link to view other available counselors.

Henry practices Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). He describes CBT as an action-oriented approach that can produce improvement relatively quickly and with lower ongoing cost than some forms of long-term talk therapy, and notes that evidence supports CBT as an effective option for many anxiety and depression concerns. Psychotherapy with him is used to support adjustment to ongoing stressors such as chronic illness or to cope with acute events like bereavement, with session length and frequency tailored to the participant’s needs.

Work begins with clear goal-setting, an assessment of physical, social, and psychological barriers, and development of a realistic plan that is revisited as new information emerges. His approach combines empathy and sympathetic listening with opportunities for education, encouragement, corrective feedback, guidance, practical help, and behavior-focused strategies. Henry also brings specialized experience in vocational rehabilitation and pet loss grief. As a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation he has assisted more than 800 disabled job seekers in returning to work or finding meaningful occupation, and for over two years he has facilitated a monthly pet loss support group for the Peninsula Humane Society in Burlingame, CA to provide space for the expression and processing of disenfranchised grief.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Henry uses Client-Centered Therapy to prioritize the client’s perspective, offering empathic listening and support that helps people clarify values, cope with grief or life changes, and build self-esteem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; this practical approach can help with anxiety, depression, stress, addictions, and mood regulation by teaching concrete skills to manage symptoms. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on strengths and small, achievable steps toward specific goals, which can be especially useful for career concerns, coping with life transitions, and short-term problem solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Henry works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and he adapts techniques so the plan fits the individual rather than forcing a single method. This collaborative process helps determine whether a client would benefit most from more directive skills work, supportive exploration, or a mix of approaches.

Online therapy with Henry is available by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and life circumstances. These remote formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into a busy life, and access licensed professionals when in-person visits are not practical.