PuttingFamilyFirst

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CA Portrait of Cheri Atkinson
Online therapist

Cheri Atkinson

Practical support for parenting and life changes

Credentials
LCSW
Experience
40 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Cheri

Cheri Atkinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with four decades of experience helping people through hard times. She focuses on everyday struggles like stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief, and parenting challenges. Cheri also supports people coping with chronic illness, caregiver strain, major life changes, and relationship or communication problems.

Her style is straightforward and kind. She aims to make conversations easy to follow and to give practical tools for handling strong emotions.

Background and approach

Sessions often include learning new coping skills, talking through what feels overwhelming, and finding small steps forward. Cheri has worked with both children and adults who face medical, physical, or developmental challenges after accidents or illness. She pays attention to the whole situation - medical, emotional, and social - so plans feel realistic and useful at home.

She creates a calm space where people can speak without feeling judged. Cheri helps clients identify patterns that cause distress and practices ways to change them. Her work is guided by proven therapeutic techniques tailored to each person’s needs.

Located in California, Cheri holds the LCSW credential - Licensed Clinical Social Worker. With many years in the field, she brings steady experience and a patient approach to supporting life changes and healing.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are used to guide sessions in accessible ways. One common approach focuses on teaching practical coping skills for stress and panic - clients learn short exercises and step-by-step strategies to manage symptoms when they arise. Another approach addresses mood and grief by helping people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practice new ways of responding to difficult feelings, which can reduce overwhelm and improve daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Cheri approaches therapy collaboratively, listening to a client’s needs, goals, and preferences before deciding which techniques to use. She adjusts methods over time so they fit the person and the situation rather than following one fixed plan.

Online formats used include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options add flexibility for busy families, caregivers, and people managing medical issues, since sessions can fit around appointments and caregiving duties. Remote sessions also make it easier to keep continuity when life changes make in-person visits difficult, while still allowing regular check-ins and skill practice between meetings.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Cheri focus on?
Cheri works with stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, depression, compassion fatigue, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, parenting, anger, career issues, and coping with life changes.
What is her general therapy style?
She uses a direct, compassionate style that emphasizes practical coping skills and clear talk. Sessions aim to teach tools and practice steps that clients can use between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 40 years of professional experience working in social work and mental health settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCSW 4236, and practices from California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Experience
40 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

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