FindADHDTherapists

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

LCSW

Theresa Leal, LCSW

  • Experience20 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasADHD, Family, and Parenting
  • Therapy approachesAttachment-Based Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
View booking options

Check the available next steps for working with Theresa online.

About Theresa

Theresa Leal is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 20 years of professional experience in California who blends practical tools with empathic understanding to support clients navigating life’s challenges.

Background and approach

She often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to address anxiety, depression, and stress, and incorporates attachment-based ideas to help people improve close relationships and cope with trauma. Her work also addresses ADHD among other concerns, framed alongside issues such as parenting, family conflict, self-esteem, grief, and compassion fatigue.

Clients can expect a collaborative, nonjudgmental atmosphere where thoughts and feelings are explored openly and solutions are developed together. Theresa draws on solution-focused strategies to help clients identify achievable goals and build momentum toward meaningful change.

She also brings experience with aging and geriatric issues, self-harm, and young adult transitions, tailoring her approach to each person’s situation. Theresa emphasizes courage and practical support during difficult transitions, helping people find clearer perspective and stronger coping skills.

Her aim is to create a therapeutic partnership that balances short-term problem solving with attention to deeper relational patterns that influence daily life.

Using Attachment and Cognitive Tools Online

Theresa draws from attachment-based approaches that explore how early and current relationship patterns shape feelings and behavior, helping clients improve trust, boundaries, and emotional connection. She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and teach practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress, making it easier to change patterns that get in the way of daily functioning.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and the therapist works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their goals and preferences. Sessions often blend insight about relationships with actionable skills and solution-focused steps so clients can see progress while addressing deeper dynamics.

Online therapy offers flexible access to these approaches through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to fit care into busy lives and maintain continuity during transitions. Licensed professionals can adapt techniques to remote formats so clients can practice new skills, track progress, and stay connected with support from wherever they are.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Theresa commonly address?
She works with a wide range of concerns including family and parenting struggles, self-esteem, stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, depression, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Theresa combines attachment-based perspectives with cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused methods to mix relational insight with practical skills and goal-oriented work.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 20 years of professional experience working with diverse clinical concerns in California.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
Theresa is an LCSW licensed in California, license number CA LCSW 23219, and she practices out of California.
Can non-English speakers work with her or are international clients accepted?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
Which formats are available for sessions?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Family conflictsParenting issuesSelf esteem

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseGriefAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesSelf-harmYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English

About

Theresa Leal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in California, with 20 years of experience, not currently accepting new clients.