Vicki Alexander Hess, LCSW - Therapist in California

About Vicki

Vicki Alexander Hess is a licensed clinical social worker who offers calm, practical support for people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and life changes. She writes plans to fit each person’s needs and talks plainly about goals and steps. She aims to treat everyone with respect and compassion while focusing on clear action and steady progress.

Vicki brings five years of professional experience and holds a California LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Background and approach

She has worked with concerns that include trauma and abuse, LGBT issues, compassion fatigue, addictions, and intimacy-related struggles. Additional areas of focus listed include family problems, adoption and foster care concerns, body image, chronic illness, and first responder issues. Her work blends evidence-based tools with an emphasis on practical change.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness techniques are used to teach attention and self-calming skills. Motivational Interviewing supports people who want help with change but feel uncertain.

Sessions can be adapted to different rhythms: some people prefer focused, short-term problem solving while others work on deeper patterns over time. Vicki writes straightforward plans and checks in on progress. She encourages open conversation about what is working and what needs to change in therapy.

Vicki practices in California and completes sessions in English. She invites clients to take the first step toward clearer thinking and more manageable days by following the simple intake process and scheduling a session.

Approaches that fit online care

Vicki commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy to guide online sessions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress. Mindfulness Therapy focuses on training attention and gentle acceptance of present-moment experience, which can help with anxiety, emotional regulation, and coping with chronic illness.

She also draws on Motivational Interviewing when someone feels unsure about making a change. That approach uses open questions and reflective listening to clarify values and build readiness for action. Deciding which methods to use is a collaborative process - the therapist and client check goals, try techniques, and adjust the plan together based on what feels most helpful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, keep regular contact between sessions, and practice skills in the moments they come up. The variety of formats supports different needs - some people prefer talking live, while others like short check-ins by message.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

Vicki works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, LGBT issues, compassion fatigue, addictions, intimacy-related issues, bipolar concerns, sleeping problems, self esteem, career stress, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She uses practical, goal-oriented methods and plain language. Sessions combine problem solving, skills practice, and exploration of patterns to support change.

What training and experience does she have?

Vicki holds a California LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has five years of professional experience working with a range of mental health and life concerns.

Where does she practice and how is licensing listed?

Her license is CA LCSW 82877 and she practices in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 5 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

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