Andrea McLellan, LMFT
Experienced narrative-informed therapist
Details
| Name | Andrea McLellan |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 14 |
About Andrea
Andrea McLellan, LMFT, brings 14 years of clinical practice to her work in California. She uses Narrative Therapy together with practical, goal-oriented methods to help people make sense of painful experiences and move toward clearer choices. Her style is straightforward and focused on doable steps clients can try between sessions.
Andrea draws on a mix of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and solution-focused techniques to reduce symptoms and build new habits.
Background and approach
She pays close attention to how personal stories shape current feelings and behavior. That narrative lens helps people reframe problems and find different paths forward. Her background includes teaching psychology at the university level and providing forensic consultation around sexual assault and child abuse cases.
This work deepened her understanding of how trauma and family dynamics affect long-term wellbeing. It also influenced her interest in attachment, abandonment, and the generational effects of family chaos. Andrea often supports people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, addictions, and intimacy-related issues.
She also works with challenges like body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and career strain. Her approach balances understanding difficult history with making practical changes today. Outside of therapy she enjoys being outdoors - hiking, bird-watching, camping, and time at the beach.
She describes recovery as involving awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness, and she helps clients explore those steps at a pace that fits their lives.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Parenting issues among the things Andrea works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trichotillomania
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Andrea among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Andrea among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Andrea among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Andrea among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Andrea among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Andrea directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Andrea directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and skills-based therapy work online
Andrea combines Narrative Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to address problems in everyday life. Narrative Therapy looks at the stories people tell about themselves and helps them see different meanings and choices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying thought and behavior patterns and testing small changes to reduce symptoms. Dialectical Behavior Therapy teaches practical skills for managing emotion, improving relationships, and tolerating distress when things feel overwhelming.Finding the right approach is part of the process. Andrea works collaboratively to match methods to a person's needs, goals, and preferences. She often draws from more than one approach and adjusts the plan as clients learn what helps them most.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit daily life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for deeper work, while phone sessions can be a simpler option with less bandwidth. Live chat and messaging let people check in between sessions or use shorter, focused exchanges when schedules are tight. These options aim to make it easier to keep therapy consistent and practical.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns does Andrea address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, addictions, and intimacy-related issues, among other struggles.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends Narrative Therapy with practical, goal-focused methods like Cognitive Behavioral and solution-focused techniques to help people change patterns and set realistic goals.
What relevant experience does she bring?
Andrea has 14 years of clinical experience, teaches psychology at the university level, and has done forensic consultation involving sexual assault and child abuse matters.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She holds a California licensed marriage and family therapist credential - LMFT - and practices in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How is pricing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a time based on the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Andrea are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Andrea where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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