Patricia Riley, LCSW

Patricia Riley is an LCSW who draws on two decades of clinical experience to support people facing stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship or family concerns. She practices in California and speaks English. Patricia focuses on practical conversations that help people make manageable changes in daily life. Her approach begins with listening and respect. She adapts dialogue and plans to fit each person’s needs, paying attention to family dynamics, parenting strains, and issues like grief, addiction, or career stress. She helps people clarify goals and take small steps toward them. Patricia uses tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and to build more helpful habits. She also draws on motivational interviewing to strengthen motivation and reduce resistance when change feels hard. These methods are aimed at everyday problems such as anxiety, low self-esteem, or coping with life transitions. Over twenty years, she has worked with a wide range of concerns, including intimacy-related issues, eating and body image struggles, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and challenges tied to adoption or blended families. She also supports people navigating end-of-life caregiving and first responder stress. People who meet with Patricia can expect a respectful, straightforward style. She emphasizes practical steps, steady encouragement, and collaboration when shaping a plan. To begin, clients select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

How CBT and Motivational Interviewing Help Online

Patricia uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people spot and change thought patterns that feed anxiety, low mood, or unhelpful behaviors. CBT typically focuses on clear problems and practical exercises to try between sessions. She also uses motivational interviewing to strengthen a person’s own reasons for change. This approach is conversational and helps when someone feels stuck, unsure, or ambivalent about next steps. Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made. Online therapy can make it easier to fit care into a busy life. It can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, and help people keep continuity of care during life transitions. If you want to know which session formats are currently offered, please confirm available options before booking so you can pick what fits your routine.