Maxwell Sleep-Frankel, LCSW
Calm, practical support for life transitions
Details
| Name | Maxwell Sleep-Frankel |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 8 |
About Maxwell
Maxwell Sleep-Frankel is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with eight years of clinical experience. He focuses on helping adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, and major life changes. He speaks English and offers sessions by video, phone, chat, or text.
Maxwell aims to create a calm space to talk and find practical steps forward. Before moving into online practice Maxwell worked extensively with older adults and people living with disabilities.
Background and approach
That background shaped his approach to grief, caregiving strain, chronic illness, and end-of-life concerns. He also has focused experience with addiction and issues affecting veterans and military communities. In sessions he combines narrative work with acceptance and cognitive approaches.
Narrative Therapy helps people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports acting on personal values even when feelings are hard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps spot and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.
Maxwell brings a trauma- and grief-informed perspective to conversations about loss and difficult life events. He uses motivational interviewing techniques when addiction or ambivalence about change comes up. The overall tone is collaborative and pragmatic - talking, reflecting, and trying small experiments between sessions.
He trained in social work at the University of Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Psychology from Indiana University. Maxwell describes therapy as a partnership where your goals guide the work together.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief among the things Maxwell works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Grief
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Maxwell among the ways he works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Maxwell among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Maxwell among the ways he works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Maxwell among the ways he works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Maxwell among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Maxwell 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 he 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 Maxwell directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative, ACT, and CBT work online
Maxwell uses Narrative Therapy to help people look at the stories they tell about themselves and their problems. In narrative work clients name the dominant story, notice its effects, and try alternative ways of talking about their life. This can be useful for grief, identity shifts, and finding new purpose.He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which focuses on clarifying values and taking action even when difficult feelings appear. ACT helps people living with anxiety, chronic pain, or persistent worry to move toward what matters to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and test them with small behavior changes, which often helps with depression and anxiety.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Maxwell collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. He tailors exercises and conversations to match what a client wants to try.
Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls let people use visual cues for deeper conversation, phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is low, and chat or text are useful for shorter check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or medical care.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does Maxwell help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, grief, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional topics include chronic illness, caregiving stress, and issues related to aging.
What is his general approach in sessions?
He uses narrative methods alongside acceptance and cognitive techniques to help people reframe their stories and take small, values-based steps. Conversations are collaborative and focused on practical change.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has eight years of clinical experience working with adults, with notable work supporting older adults and people with disabilities. That background informs his work with grief and life transitions.
What credentials and region apply to his practice?
He holds the LCSW credential and practices in California. Licensing is listed as CA LCSW.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. He accepts international clients for remote sessions.
Which session formats are available?
Work can happen by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication preferences.
How is cost handled for sessions?
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 therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Maxwell 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 Maxwell where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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