- Client-centered methods
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
About Brian
Brian Olden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 45 years of experience. He lists concerns he works with including relationship issues, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, parenting, and stress. He also notes experience with caregiving challenges, chronic illness, and career transitions.
He takes a client-centered stance and plans goals together with each person. Sessions are practical and goal-focused. He supports people through life transitions like job changes, relationship shifts, and the demands of caregiving.
Brian reports experience with military trauma and sexual trauma and with adults who have various trauma histories. He says he lived overseas and pays attention to cultural differences when they matter to a person’s concerns. His long practice includes work on grief, intimacy-related problems, sleep difficulties, impulsivity, and issues related to ADHD and bipolar disorder.
He uses a mix of approaches to suit different needs, including Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Narrative Therapy. In sessions he helps people identify strengths, set realistic goals, and practice strategies to reach them.
Brian describes his work as collaborative and results-oriented. He supports people aiming to make tangible changes, whether that means improving communication, managing stress, or working through past trauma. To begin he asks people to choose online therapy options and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session.
How Brian’s approaches work online
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and priorities. In plain terms this means the therapist listens closely, reflects what matters to the client, and helps shape goals together. This approach is useful for relationship concerns, caregiving stress, and life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical strategies to change them. It often involves short exercises, homework, and step-by-step skills for worry, sleep problems, or mood management.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy, or EFT, centers on emotions in close relationships. It helps people identify what they feel, communicate more clearly, and try different ways of responding in intimate relationships.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Brian will talk with each person about goals and preferences and will suggest methods that fit those aims. The choice of methods is collaborative and can change as needs evolve.
If you plan to use online sessions, confirm the specific session formats before booking. The profile does not list session formats explicitly, so check whether the therapist offers video, phone, or other arrangements. Online sessions can be easier to fit into a busy day, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time while keeping the focus on practical skill building and problem solving.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
45+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He lists relationship problems, trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, parenting, stress, grief, and related issues.
What is his general approach in sessions?
He uses a client-centered approach and works with clients to set agreed-upon goals and practical steps.
How much experience does he have?
He has 45 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is a California LCSW and practices in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are sessions arranged and paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.