PuttingFamilyFirst

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JL Portrait of Dr. Justin Lutz
Online therapist

Dr. Justin Lutz

Warm, practical support for family and parenting

Credentials
CA Psychologist 31972
Experience
23 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Justin

Dr. Justin Lutz greets people who are nervous about starting therapy with patience and straightforward support. He acknowledges how hard it can feel to find the right clinician and to open up.

He thanks anyone who has already taken that first step and aims to make the next steps easier to take. His style is warm and compassionate. He builds a nonjudgmental space where people can talk through painful memories and confusing feelings.

Background and approach

Sessions focus on helping clients tell a clearer story about themselves and find practical ways to change patterns that cause distress. Dr. Lutz is a California licensed psychologist - CA Psychologist 31972 - with 23 years of clinical experience.

He has worked with people facing depression, mood disorders, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, substance use, and grief. He also focuses on relationship and family issues, parenting challenges, and identity questions within the LGBT community. His training includes work with system-impacted teenagers who were involved in juvenile justice.

He has supported teens and adults through trauma, anxiety, and substance-related problems. He also assists clients who are exploring gender identity and life changes as they plan next steps. Conversations with him tend to blend practical strategies and careful listening.

He uses approaches that help people notice unhelpful thoughts, try small changes, and practice new ways of reacting. To begin, he invites a brief phone consultation to hear what is bringing someone to therapy and to answer questions about the process.

Practical approaches for online family and parenting support

Dr. Lutz uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, listening-based space where clients set the pace and topics for work. This approach helps with building trust, discussing family patterns, and deciding what to address first.

He also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy, which looks at how thoughts and actions influence mood and behavior. CBT offers tools for changing unhelpful thinking, managing strong emotions, and trying new behaviors in family interactions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. He will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, and then tailor sessions to fit the needs of the person or family. This shared decision making helps keep work practical and relevant.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy family schedules and to continue work between meetings. The range of formats also allows people to pick the way of communicating that feels most comfortable for them.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

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.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does he address related to families?
He works with a range of family and relationship issues including parenting, communication problems, family problems, and caregiver stress.
What is his general therapeutic approach?
He combines client-centered listening with structured techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused work to help people try concrete changes.
How long has he practiced clinically?
Dr. Lutz brings 23 years of clinical experience to his practice, including work with teens involved in juvenile justice and adults facing trauma and substance issues.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a California licensed psychologist - CA Psychologist 31972 - and his practice is located in California.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the country work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
He meets with people through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on client needs and preferences.
How do fees and the subscription work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Experience
23 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

Next step

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