Marcia Howard, LCSW - Therapist in California

About Marcia

Marcia Howard is a licensed clinical social worker who uses clear, practical therapy to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns. She works from California and speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Marcia brings 20 years of experience as a LCSW and focuses on straightforward strategies parents and adults can apply between sessions.

Her sessions center on identifying what is most troubling right now and trying small, workable changes.

Background and approach

She blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills with mindfulness and solution-focused techniques. This combination helps people notice unhelpful thoughts, practice new coping skills, and test different ways of handling real-life situations. Marcia has supported people facing trauma, family problems, eating-related issues, grief and end-of-life concerns, immigration stresses, and other life transitions.

She also addresses anger, codependency, commitment issues, and challenges tied to aging and veteran-related concerns. Her approach aims to reduce immediate distress while building practical skills for the future. Sessions are offered through video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Cost varies with location and subscription options; subscriptions can be canceled at any time. For those ready to begin, the process starts by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Marcia emphasizes collaboration.

She treats each person as the expert on their life and helps them set realistic goals. The work focuses on small steps that can make daily life more manageable and meaningful.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Marcia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy as core tools. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It works well for anxiety, depression, and stress by focusing on practical steps to shift daily routines. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple awareness practices to reduce reactivity and calm the mind, which can help with emotional regulation and coping with difficult memories.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. She collaborates with each person to choose or blend methods based on their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring. Over early sessions she and the client assess what helps and adjust the plan together, keeping the focus on what makes daily life easier.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to receive care. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and guided skills practice. Phone sessions are an option when video is not practical. Live chat and text-based messaging support shorter check-ins, skill reminders, and ongoing connection between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to use the tools learned in real time.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

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 kinds of problems does Marcia address?

She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, self-esteem issues, eating-related concerns, anger, and coping with life changes.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is practical and skills-focused, combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy with mindfulness and solution-focused techniques to create actionable coping strategies.

What background does she bring to sessions?

Marcia has 20 years of professional experience as a licensed clinical social worker, working with a wide range of life challenges and transitions.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She is a licensed clinical social worker in California, listed as CA LCSW 23049.

Which languages are supported during sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Are international clients accepted for therapy?

International clients are not currently accepted; services are provided to clients within the supported region.

What formats are available for sessions?

Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.

How does cost and getting started work?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

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