Cheryl A Swanson, LCSW — Therapist in California

Hi there, I'm Cheryl A!

I am a Christian therapist who works with adults struggling with trauma, anxiety, and depression. I also work with parents challenged by their children's difficult behaviors. I love giving parents the tools they need to turn things around so they can enjoy their children again.

My focus

My ideal client is someone willing to learn and practice tools that will help them experience less distress, especially while processing traumas. I also greatly enjoy working with parents who are motivated to learn new parenting interventions and practice them at home. They will see their children's behaviors change.

My approach

I prioritize teaching you tools to help lower your distress as we address the traumas or other issues fueling your anxiety and depression. Explaining what is happening in your brain and body makes it easier to self-regulate and decrease your symptoms. I use a mix of trauma-focused and supportive therapies to address your concerns.

My communication style

Sessions give you a peaceful, safe place to share your story. I tend to be very calm and to ask clarifying questions as you talk, so I can better understand you. When I am teaching something, I check in often to be sure you understood me. I want you to know that I hear you and that my goal is to help you feel better.

My journey to mental healthcare

Successfully working through difficult issues from my own childhood created the desire to help others do the same. I want you to feel better and your life to be easier. I love learning new interventions I can share with my clients to help them manage their symptoms, especially as science is learning more about the brain.

My goals for you

Identifying the symptoms that are giving you the most distress gives us a marker to track your overall progress. As we go along, these goals also help us see that, although you may still be struggling, progress is being made.

Our first session

After your initial assessment, I will begin by teaching you tools you can use that will help you feel less distressed. This allows you time to get to know me before sharing sensitive material. This is flexible, however, as you decide what we talk about in each session.

I identify as...

Female
Caucasian or White
Christian

Expertise

Specialties

+ 4 more

Treatment approaches

Christian Counseling

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Trauma Focused

Psychodynamic

+ 4 more

Focus populations

Single Mother

+ 1 more

Therapy types

Individual Therapy

Ages served

Adults

Practice

Accepted insurance providers

Aetna
Aetna - Medicare Advantage
Alignment Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
All Savers
Allegiance

+ 72 more

Languages spoken

English

Education

Master of Social Work (MSW) in Social Work from Psychotherapy Concentration - University of Illinois At Chicago.

Sessions

60 minutes

Virtual sessions

Cheryl A Swanson