Lesley Schwam, LMFT

Lesley Schwam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California who blends practical strategies with goal-oriented care. She has been an LMFT since 2015 and brings 12 years of clinical experience to work with individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Lesley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful patterns, build coping skills, and take concrete steps toward personal goals.

Her approach emphasizes small, achievable changes that accumulate over time. Early sessions often focus on foundational self-care, developing coping techniques, setting short- and long-term objectives, and strengthening boundary-setting and communication skills. Lesley has experience addressing panic attacks, PTSD, grief and loss, career shifts, retirement adjustments, and the challenges of entering new life roles.

Clients work with Lesley to clarify priorities, map out actionable steps, and practice skills between sessions so progress becomes measurable and sustainable. She frames therapy as a collaborative process aimed at helping people move forward with clarity and confidence as they navigate stress, relationship concerns, addictive behaviors, and other life adjustments.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Support

Lesley integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy into online work to help clients address immediate concerns and build lasting skills. CBT is a structured, skills-based approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors - it is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and stress-related issues. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasizes identifying strengths and setting achievable goals so clients can make practical progress quickly - it is well suited to life transitions, career changes, and problem-solving in relationships.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lesley collaborates with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then tailors interventions so work feels personally relevant and doable. That collaborative stance helps clarify what will be most helpful as therapy progresses.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited mobility. Sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients to fit therapy into their everyday life and continue work between meetings. This range of options supports ongoing progress while accommodating different communication styles and practical needs.