PuttingFamilyFirst

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GY Portrait of Gary Youssef
Online therapist

Gary Youssef

Support for families and parenting challenges

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Credentials
LMFT, LIMFT
Experience
22 years
Licensed in
California, Ohio
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Gary

Gary Youssef is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 22 years of experience who focuses on family and parenting concerns. He works with parents and caregivers dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and the ups and downs of raising children. Gary uses straightforward, practical strategies so families can find clearer routines and better day-to-day coping.

He draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to shape brief, goal-oriented work.

Background and approach

That means sessions often focus on small, doable changes that can make family life calmer. He also pays attention to family patterns and relationships to help everyone understand how they influence behavior. Gary’s background includes long-term clinical work in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry and experience supporting military families.

That work involved treating a wide range of issues from trauma and grief to chronic stress and attention concerns. He brings that experience into practical plans families can try between sessions. In sessions he emphasizes clear goals, simple tools, and tracking progress over time.

Parents can expect active problem solving, concrete homework, and steady review of what helps. He keeps language uncomplicated so busy parents can use what they learn right away. Gary provides services in Ohio and offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging.

Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and scheduling follows a short matching questionnaire and the platform’s booking options.

Approaches for families in online care

Gary often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help families notice and change the thoughts and actions that keep problems going; this is useful for anxiety, mood, sleep, and behavior concerns. Solution-Focused Therapy is another common approach he uses to set small, practical goals and build on what already works in a family’s life. Motivational Interviewing is used when someone is stuck or ambivalent about change, helping them find reasons and plans to move forward.

Finding the right approach is part of how he works. He will talk with the family about goals, try methods that fit those goals, and adjust the plan together based on what helps. That collaborative process means parents have a say in pacing and focus throughout care.

Online therapy offers flexibility for busy families. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations when schedules are tight, phone sessions can be easier for quick check-ins, and live chat or text messaging supports shorter, ongoing coaching between sessions. These options help families connect in ways that match their routines and make it easier to practice new skills at home.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Rather than examining the problem at length, this looks at what is already working and builds on it. Sessions tend to be practical and forward-looking, with small achievable steps, which translates readily to shorter online conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of family problems does Gary address?
He works with common family and parenting concerns like stress, anxiety, depression, behavior challenges, grief, and coping with life changes.
How would he describe his therapeutic style?
His style is practical and goal focused, emphasizing clear steps families can try between sessions and regular check-ins on progress.
What is his clinical background?
Gary has 22 years of experience, including long-term work in outpatient child and adolescent psychiatry and support for military families in pediatric settings.
Which credentials and location apply to his practice?
He holds LMFT and LIMFT licensure, listed as CA LMFT 45456 and OH LIMFT F.2500504, and provides services from Ohio.
In what languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available online?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different family schedules and needs.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps should a parent take to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
22 years
Licensed
California, Ohio
Languages
English

Next step

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