Peggy Lingard, LCSW

Peggy Lingard experienced a major life shift when she moved to California for what she called the job of her dreams. The transition dismantled familiar supports and left her feeling disconnected from her strengths, until a therapist encouraged her to invest in people and activities that brought joy and to take action rather than only talk about change. She reconnected with nature and began painting - a practice she has continued for eighteen years - and that lived experience informs her work with others as she asks questions about each person’s story, fears, and reliable strengths.

Peggy trained with respected professionals and developed skills across a range of therapeutic models, including family systems, problem-solving, divorce mediation, solution-focused and narrative therapies, dialectical behavior therapy, resilience work, and mindfulness. She values evidence-based approaches and is willing to discuss the research behind different methods, while emphasizing that the therapeutic alliance - the partnership between therapist and client - is the central driver of progress. She borrows tools such as mindfulness and distress-tolerance skills from DBT when they fit the client’s goals, always honoring the collaborative nature of therapy and centering the client’s experience.

Peggy is a lesbian, is partnered with a wife who is African American, and is the parent of three grown children. She approaches diversity as an ongoing learning journey and brings respect, forgiveness, and curiosity to relationships. She welcomes people who are ready to increase transparency and let go of what is not working, meeting each person with fresh eyes and a focus on their strengths. She holds an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Peggy Lingard

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action toward what matters to them, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present - it can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills in emotion regulation, mindfulness, and distress tolerance to help manage intense emotions and improve coping during crises. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and follows the client’s pace, supporting growth in self-esteem, grief work, and relationship concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process; Peggy works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques from different models while keeping the client’s priorities central to treatment planning.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier for clients to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or travel, and to maintain continuity of care when in-person meetings are not possible. Peggy uses these formats to support consistent, collaborative work toward clients’ goals with licensed professionals guiding the process.