Hello and welcome! Thank you for viewing my profile more closely. I am a strong advocate and very passionate about helping clients further their understandings of themselves and their relationships, as well as finding a deeper meaning and joy in their lives. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and have a substantial amount of experience in working with teens and transitional aged youth, trauma, depression and anxiety, life transitions, career and relational issues, self esteem issues, and other general mental health concerns.
I have worked in the past at a private practice, sexual assault center, schools, as well as on a crisis team and this varied experience has helped me to have a broad range of skills and outlooks to utilize with my clients. I love animals and have used animal assisted therapies in some of my work in the past.
I love to utilize humor and a warm, strengths based compassionate approach with my clients. Clients can expect support, warmth and safety from me in our work together. I love seeing clients identify their strengths and work through their challenges, and am honored when I get to be part of this with them. I like to work collaboratively with my clients. We will work together to find solutions to the challenges and goals you identify, and I can help you develop new insights into your life and create new tools to manage them. It is my belief that you (the client) are the expert on yourself and your life, and I try to have this theory be the backbone of our work together. I often use cognitive behavioral techniques and worksheets, empathetic listening, and solution focused methods in order to help you achieve your goals in therapy. I enjoy finding a variety of coping skills that each individual client can utilize even after therapy has terminated.
Looking at these profiles can be overwhelming, and asking for help can be hard. It can be tough to know where to start. Starting therapy in itself is an act of bravery, and I would love to become part of your support team. If you have any questions or are interested in working with me, please feel free to reach out.
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family conflicts, Sleeping disorders, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and Discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
CA LMFT 112938
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gretchen Forrey. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Gretchen is a fantastic listener and supporter. I don’t know where I’d be without her!
Written on Nov 09, 2022 after therapy with Gretchen for 2 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes
She’s the best.
Written on Apr 26, 2022 after therapy with Gretchen for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, trauma and abuse, grief, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd
Gretchen as a thoughtful, kind, and compassionate listener who has been helpful to me during a challenging time.
Written on Mar 08, 2022 after therapy with Gretchen for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
In two sessions Gretchen has already helped me significantly. I cannot recommend her enough, I am so grateful for her!
Written on Nov 18, 2021 after therapy with Gretchen for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and grief
She makes you feel mattered and not alone. She listens without judgment.
Written on Sep 25, 2021 after therapy with Gretchen for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties
She is wonderful
Written on Sep 16, 2021 after therapy with Gretchen for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue