Lesley Schwam , LMFT

Lesley Schwam is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Los Angeles, California, who brings a practical, solution-oriented approach to counseling. As an LMFT, she is trained to support individuals, couples, and families in navigating emotional challenges and relationship dynamics. Lesley draws primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help clients identify patterns, set achievable goals, and make meaningful changes.

She emphasizes that people can change behaviors day by day, and she centers therapy on finding concrete solutions that move clients toward their life goals. Lesley has worked with trauma and PTSD, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, grief and loss, and a range of life transitions such as starting a new job, shifting careers, entering retirement, or adapting to new roles.

Early work in therapy typically focuses on building self-care and coping skills, establishing short- and long-term goals, and learning boundary setting and positive communication techniques. By setting realistic goals and practicing new skills, clients often discover greater confidence in their ability to reach the outcomes they want, with Lesley guiding each step of the process.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Lesley uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is practical and skills-based, often helpful for anxiety, depression, panic, and challenges with mood and motivation. Solution-Focused Therapy is another core approach she uses, concentrating on clients' strengths and immediate goals to identify small, concrete steps forward and build momentum toward change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lesley approaches that choice collaboratively. She works with clients to clarify their needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors interventions so the work fits each person's circumstances and values.

Online therapy offers flexibility that can make consistent care easier to maintain. Lesley provides sessions by video call, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging, which can accommodate different schedules, energy levels, and communication styles. These options allow clients to engage in therapy from a range of settings while maintaining regular contact with a licensed professional who supports goal-setting and skill-building.