Andrea McLellan

Compassionate, practical therapy with cognitive-behavioral focus

LMFT California

Experience: 14 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Languages: English

About Andrea

Andrea McLellan is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California who emphasizes practical, goal-oriented work rooted in cognitive behavioral principles. She frames therapy as a process of identifying the underlying causes of distress and then applying structured strategies to reduce symptoms and build healthier patterns.

Background and approach

Andrea combines solution-focused techniques with cognitive behavioral approaches to help clients set realistic goals and make measurable progress. With 14 years of clinical experience, Andrea also brings a forensic and academic perspective to her practice.

She teaches psychology at a university and serves as a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse, providing forensic consultation related to cases involving court-dependent minors. That background informs her attention to family systems, generational trauma, and the complex dynamics that can follow harm within family relationships.

Andrea values awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness as core elements of authentic recovery. Her work often addresses stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, mood disorders, addictions, and a wide range of interpersonal and identity-related issues.

Outside of practice she enjoys nature and outdoor activities including hiking and bird-watching.

Approach-Focused Online Therapy with Practical Tools

Andrea integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into her online practice. CBT helps clients recognize unhelpful thought patterns and develop concrete skills to change behaviors and ease symptoms, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and many everyday stressors. DBT emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, and it can be especially helpful for people managing intense emotions or relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process; Andrea works with clients to assess their needs, goals, and preferences and then adapts techniques from different models to create a personalized plan. She emphasizes clear goals and practical steps so clients can see progress and adjust the approach together over time.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing clients to engage in ways that fit their schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, and other commitments, and they support regular, goal-focused work between appointments.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

Her practice addresses a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy-related difficulties, addictions, and a range of personality and interpersonal concerns listed in her specialties.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She favors practical, goal-driven work that blends solution-focused strategies with cognitive behavioral techniques, offering structured interventions and clear goal-setting to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

What is her professional background?

Andrea has 14 years of experience and also works in academia as an adjunct psychology instructor; she is a court-recognized expert who provides forensic consultation on cases involving sexual assault and child abuse.

Where is she licensed and practicing?

She holds the credential LMFT and is licensed in California under CA LMFT 51616 and practices from that state.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are conducted in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats does she offer?

Clients can work with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on the chosen subscription and scheduling options.

How are fees and payment handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and services are accessed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

14+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English