About Patricia
Patricia Riley is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California with two decades of experience. She focuses on clear, practical work that helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Patricia speaks English and aims to create a respectful, compassionate space for each person she sees.
Patricia draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to shape sessions. She helps people spot thought patterns that make problems worse and test new ways of acting.
How Patricia works
She also uses motivational techniques to support change when someone feels stuck or ambivalent. Her areas of focus include relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, addiction-related issues, grief and trauma, and challenges with self-esteem and body image. Patricia also supports work-related stress such as compassion fatigue and first responder concerns, and she can help with caregiving stress and aging-related issues.
Sessions address practical goals like coping skills, clearer communication, relapse prevention, and planning around major life events. Patricia adapts the pace and methods to suit the person in front of her, collaborating on small, doable steps toward change. People seeking help will find an approach that blends direct skill-building with empathic conversation.
Patricia emphasizes realistic tools and steady support so progress can fit into a busy life.
Patricia lists 2 ways of working on the entry:
What Patricia works with
The areas below are the ones Patricia selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Commitment issues
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Eating and food-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- First responder issues
- Grief
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- LGBT
- Multicultural concerns
- Parenting issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self esteem
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Trauma and abuse
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 20 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | California |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How Patricia Uses CBT and Motivational Interviewing Online
Patricia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try small experiments that change feelings and behavior. CBT sessions focus on practical skills like managing anxiety, setting limits, and adjusting daily routines to reduce low mood.She also uses Motivational Interviewing to support people who feel unsure about making a change. This approach involves gentle, focused conversation to clarify what matters to the person and to build their own reasons for taking steps forward. It can help with addictions, health behavior change, and decisions about relationships or work.
Finding the right approach is a team effort. Patricia will talk with each person about goals and preferences, then tailor methods together as needed. She adjusts pacing and techniques so the work fits the person’s life and immediate concerns.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for skill practice and face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text messaging suit short check-ins, quick coaching, or times when typing feels easier. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy schedules.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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