Patrick O'Leary

Patrick O'Leary is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 41 years of clinical experience. He helps people facing addiction, relationship strain, anger, mood concerns, and major life changes. He focuses on practical steps you can use day to day. Patrick aims to make sessions straightforward and focused on what you want to change.

Over decades of practice he has supported people through grief, trauma, parenting stress, career shifts, and health challenges. He also works with issues like ADHD, compassion fatigue, and eating concerns. He concentrates on where a person's patterns come from and what can be done differently now.

His style is collaborative and respectful. He listens first, and then helps shape goals that feel realistic. Sessions include talking through problems, learning small skills, and trying new ways of responding to difficult moments.

Patrick uses a mix of familiar therapy approaches to meet each person's needs. He draws from client-centered work to keep the conversation focused on the person. He uses cognitive behavioral methods to spot unhelpful thoughts and try alternative behaviors. He also brings narrative and solution-focused ideas to help people rewrite difficult stories and build practical next steps.

People who want clear direction and steady support may find his approach useful. He encourages clients to notice progress in small increments. To begin, clients use the site's Start Therapy process to match and schedule sessions based on availability.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy puts the person's experience at the center. The therapist listens without judgment, reflects what matters to the client, and helps the client set their own goals. This approach can be helpful for people who want a respectful space to figure out what matters most to them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing different behaviors. It often includes clear exercises to practice between sessions and can help with anger, anxiety, depression, and mood regulation. Mindfulness Therapy encourages present-moment noticing and simple attention practices to reduce reactivity and improve coping with stress.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and adjust methods accordingly. Many people try one approach and add others over time to get a good fit.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, shorten travel time, and allow for steady check-ins during life transitions. It also makes it simpler to continue work when schedules shift, while keeping the focus on practical strategies and real-world changes.