Patrick O'Leary, LMFT
Experienced therapist focused on personal stories
Details
| Name | Patrick O'Leary |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | California |
| Licensed in | California |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 41 |
About Patrick
Patrick O'Leary is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 41 years of clinical experience. He focuses on helping people through hard life changes and emotional struggles. His work centers on clear, steady support rather than quick fixes.
Over his career he has helped people manage addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood concerns, and grief. He also offers practical help for relationship and intimacy issues, parenting stress, and workplace pressure.
Background and approach
He explains things plainly and helps people break problems into manageable steps. Patrick uses a mix of approaches to fit each person. He draws on Narrative Therapy to look at the stories people tell about themselves.
He uses Client-Centered methods to follow each person's pace and priorities. He also brings in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools when changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors is important. Sessions often focus on improving communication, rebuilding self-esteem, and finding healthier ways to cope.
He works with issues like codependency, attachment concerns, forgiveness, and control problems. He also supports people dealing with trauma, substance use, and the emotional fallout of major life events. People can expect a steady, respectful tone in sessions and practical steps to try between meetings.
Patrick aims to help clients develop clearer choices and more workable habits. He emphasizes collaboration and straightforward language.
What this therapist works with
His listing names Addictions, Relationship issues, Intimacy-related issues among the things Patrick works with, alongside the areas below.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Intimacy-related issues
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Cancer
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in his listing among his approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Systemic Therapy: Listed by Patrick among the ways he works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Patrick 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 Patrick directly how he uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Practical Methods Work Online
Patrick blends Narrative Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy with CBT tools in online work. Narrative Therapy helps people examine the stories they tell about themselves and find new meanings when old stories cause pain. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the person's pace so goals emerge from their own values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offers simple exercises to notice and change thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to emphasize story work, listening and reflection, or skills-based practices, and they can adjust that plan over time.
Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different routines. Video is useful for deeper conversations, phone works well when bandwidth is limited, live chat can be a shorter check-in, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, family, and other commitments while keeping the focus on practical change.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does Patrick often help with?
He works with a wide range of concerns including addictions, anxiety, depression, bipolar mood issues, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy problems, parenting stress, and career-related stress.
What is his therapeutic style like?
His style is steady and collaborative, using plain language and practical steps. He combines listening with targeted strategies so people can try new ways of coping between sessions.
How much experience does he have?
He has 41 years of clinical experience as a mental health professional working with many different life challenges and transitions.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the person's preference and needs.
How are fees and subscription handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin the process?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule appointments according to the therapist's availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Patrick 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 Patrick where he has space. Ask about fees, and whether he holds a licence or registration where you live.
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