Cathleen Stafford, LMFT
California · 25 years in practice
Cathleen Stafford is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 25 years of experience.
License and registration
- LMFT, California
- 37242 · expires May 2026
- NPI
- 1164545158 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 25
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Cathleen
Cathleen Stafford is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with 25 years of experience. She centers sessions on the client and believes people bring strengths that matter. Cathleen aims to make starting therapy feel manageable for someone taking that first step.
She uses Systemic therapy to look at patterns between people and how those patterns affect stress, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Sessions also draw on Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral ideas to identify unhelpful thinking and to build practical skills.
Background and approach
This mix helps with issues like intimacy problems, communication breakdowns, and blended family challenges. Cathleen also addresses parenting concerns, caregiver stress, and transitions such as divorce or midlife shifts. She works with people facing depression, postpartum challenges, social anxiety, and questions about life purpose.
Veteran and armed forces issues are included among her focus areas. Her approach is straightforward and conversational. She listens first, then helps choose small, realistic steps to try between sessions.
Clients can expect concrete strategies and a focus on what is working now and what can change. Sessions can include talking, skills practice, and checking how changes fit into daily life. Cathleen encourages people to bring what matters most to them and to move at their own pace.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Cathleen lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Infidelity
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Postpartum depression
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Cathleen names
- Systemic Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
Using system and client-centered methods online
Systemic Therapy looks at how patterns and relationships shape problems. Online sessions let the therapist and client talk through recurring interactions and try new responses in daily life. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to the person, helping them find their own answers and build confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, when used, targets specific thoughts and behaviors and offers practical exercises to reduce anxiety or low mood.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Cathleen will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and together they will decide which methods to try. That collaborative process makes it easier to adjust the plan if something does not fit.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video works well for deeper conversations and visual cues. Phone can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text are useful for brief check-ins or when someone prefers shorter written exchanges. These options add flexibility so therapy can fit into busy schedules and different day-to-day needs.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of problems does this therapist help with?
She helps people address stress, anxiety, depression, and intimacy-related issues. Other focuses include parenting, blended family challenges, communication problems, and life transitions.
What is the therapy style like during sessions?
Sessions are conversational and practical. Cathleen listens first and then works with clients on small, doable steps and skills between sessions.
How much experience does the therapist have?
She has 25 years of professional experience working with relationship and emotional concerns.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
The clinician is a California licensed marriage and family therapist, listed as LMFT, and practices from California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted for therapy?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available for online work?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does the cost and scheduling work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling.
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