- Goal-focused
- Compassionate
- Practical tools
About Patricia
Patricia Riley is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California. She draws on two decades of experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and relationship challenges. Her style is direct and compassionate, focused on clear goals and practical steps.
She uses straightforward conversation to understand what matters most to each person. Patricia adapts her approach to fit individual needs, whether the focus is parenting strain, family conflict, work stress, or major life change. She also supports people facing grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, and issues related to sexual orientation and identity.
Patricia frequently applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, helping people identify thoughts and behaviors that keep problems in place and try out new responses. She also uses Motivational Interviewing to help people find their own reasons to change and stick with them. These methods aim to produce small, manageable shifts that add up over time.
Her background includes long-term work in community and clinical settings in California. Patricia has guided people coping with caregiver stress, first responder strain, eating-related concerns, and the complex feelings that follow adoption, divorce, or end-of-life care. She also pays attention to challenges like ADHD, bipolar mood concerns, and compassion fatigue.
If you are considering support after a disaster or other upheaval, Patricia can help you process reactions and build practical coping strategies. To begin, follow the site process to match and schedule a session.
How Patricia Uses CBT and Motivational Interviewing Online
Patricia commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing as part of her work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice the thoughts and habits that keep stress and anxiety going, then test new ways of thinking and acting. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and many everyday problems. Motivational Interviewing focuses on helping someone find their own reasons to change and strengthen their commitment, which can be useful for addictions, behavior change, and managing life transitions.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with a client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked in the past. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.
This profile does not specify which online session formats are offered, so please confirm current options before booking. Many people find remote sessions helpful because they can fit therapy into a work break, avoid travel time, or use a shorter check-in on busy days. Online work can support the same practical exercises Patricia uses in person, such as mood tracking, thought records, and setting small behavior experiments to try between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does this therapist address?
Areas include stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and parenting issues, grief, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes including coping with natural or human-caused disaster.
How would therapy feel in a session with Patricia Riley?
Expect a direct, respectful approach that focuses on practical steps. Sessions aim to clarify goals and try small changes that build over time.
What is Patricia Riley's professional background?
She has 20 years of professional experience working in California settings, helping people with family issues, caregiving stress, first responder challenges, and other concerns.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - and practices in California.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
This profile does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options with the scheduling process before booking.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an appointment according to therapist availability.