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PN Portrait of Patricia Nelson
Online therapist

Patricia Nelson

Change-focused licensed social worker

Credentials
LCSW, LCSW-R
Experience
25 years
Licensed in
New York, California
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Patricia

Patricia Nelson uses a client-centered approach that emphasizes respectful listening and practical tools. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - LCSW and LCSW-R based in New York with 25 years of experience. Her style is warm and interactive and she focuses on clear steps a person can use between sessions.

Patricia writes plans to suit each person’s needs and goals. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions using short, manageable strategies.

Background and approach

She also addresses relationship challenges, grief, intimacy-related concerns, eating and sleep problems, parenting issues, and coping with life changes. She draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts and on mindfulness to build calm and presence. Patricia’s background includes work with trauma and abuse as well as long-term experience supporting people with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.

She also has experience around aging and caregiver stress, adoption and foster care topics, chronic illness and pain, and body image and self-esteem difficulties. Motivational interviewing is part of how she helps people find what matters to them and make steady changes. Sessions are conversational and focused.

Patricia aims to move from understanding to action so people leave with specific steps. She respects each person’s pace and adapts methods as needed. Seeking help is a meaningful step and Patricia offers steady support and practical coaching through the process.

Practical therapy approaches that work online

Patricia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with clearer, more useful thoughts. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, and helping people change behaviors that get in the way of daily life.

She also draws on Mindfulness Therapy to teach simple attention and breathing practices. Those skills can reduce reactivity and support better sleep, emotional regulation, and stress management.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Patricia treats therapy as a collaborative process and will help figure out which techniques fit a person’s goals and preferences. She adjusts the plan over time based on what is or isn’t helping.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life and to use short check-ins when useful. Many people find that practicing skills between sessions by message or phone helps progress feel steady and practical.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Patricia address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting concerns, eating and sleeping problems, and career challenges among other areas.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm and interactive with a client-centered focus. She combines practical strategies with listening to tailor the work to each person.
How long has she practiced?
Patricia has 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist and life coach, working with a wide range of concerns and populations.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds LCSW and LCSW-R credentials with registration NY LCSW 078047, and practices out of New York.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
In what formats are sessions available?
Therapy can be done by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits each person.
How is cost handled?
Fees vary with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Experience
25 years
Licensed
New York, California
Languages
English

Next step

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