- 45 years experience
- Grief and transitions
- Trauma-informed care
About Brian
Brian Olden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 45 years of experience based in California. He welcomes people who have decided to make changes and wants to help them reach goals that have felt out of reach.
He listens first and then works together with each person to set practical goals. Sessions focus on building on what already works, and on developing clear steps to handle problems. Brian uses straightforward language and aims to make therapy understandable and useful.
Brian has a long background working with trauma, including military and sexual trauma, and with adults facing many kinds of life transitions. He has helped people cope with relationship shifts, job changes, chronic pain and illness, and the stress that caretakers experience. He also offers support for grief and end-of-life concerns.
Clients often work on improving communication, reducing anxiety and depression, managing anger, or strengthening self-esteem. He blends approaches to match each person’s needs and preferences rather than using a single method for everyone.
Brian values cultural sensitivity and draws on experience gained while living overseas. He aims to notice each person’s strengths and build strategies to use those strengths in daily life. He invites people who want practical change to begin a collaborative process toward clearer goals.
He listens first and then works together with each person to set practical goals. Sessions focus on building on what already works, and on developing clear steps to handle problems. Brian uses straightforward language and aims to make therapy understandable and useful.
Brian has a long background working with trauma, including military and sexual trauma, and with adults facing many kinds of life transitions. He has helped people cope with relationship shifts, job changes, chronic pain and illness, and the stress that caretakers experience. He also offers support for grief and end-of-life concerns.
Clients often work on improving communication, reducing anxiety and depression, managing anger, or strengthening self-esteem. He blends approaches to match each person’s needs and preferences rather than using a single method for everyone.
Brian values cultural sensitivity and draws on experience gained while living overseas. He aims to notice each person’s strengths and build strategies to use those strengths in daily life. He invites people who want practical change to begin a collaborative process toward clearer goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDivorce and separationFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Sexual dysfunctionSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Narrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
45+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person. It helps people clarify goals and feel understood, which can be useful for relationship stress or life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical skills to change them, often helping with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Emotionally-Focused Therapy emphasizes recognizing and shifting emotional responses inside relationships, which can help with intimacy issues and communication struggles.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Brian will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That may mean trying a practical skill-based method first, or pairing emotion-focused work with trauma-focused techniques as needed.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, shorten travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when days are tight. They also let people meet with a licensed professional from a convenient location, which can make it simpler to maintain regular appointments while managing work, caregiving, or health needs.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Brian commonly address?
He works with a range of issues including relationships, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, caregiving stress, chronic illness, parenting challenges, and career matters.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He listens carefully and collaborates on clear, practical goals. He mixes conversational, goal-focused work with deeper trauma approaches when needed.
How many years has he practiced?
He brings 45 years of experience as a clinician to his work, drawing on long-term practice with a variety of life challenges.
What credentials and region does he work in?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.