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LS Portrait of Lani Stoner

Lani Stoner

Experienced therapist focused on practical change

LMFT California

Experience
27 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Lani

Lani Stoner is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, grief, depression, and a wide range of life adjustments.

Background and approach

With 27 years of professional experience in mental health, she offers an engaged, directive style that aims to help clients move toward clearer functioning, improved relationships, and renewed hope. Her background spans county and agency work as well as independent practice, with experience across ages from children to older adults and work with chronically mentally ill adults.

She holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and completed gerontology coursework, and she draws on practical training that supports work with trauma, chronic pain and illness, caregiver stress, blended families, fertility and cancer-related concerns, and other complex, co-occurring issues.

Therapeutic work with Stoner blends client-centered listening with structured methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques, along with narrative and solution-focused elements when helpful. She offers in-person-informed clinical judgment translated into online formats, and she emphasizes collaboration to identify goals and the strategies most likely to help each person reach them.

Therapeutic Approaches and How They Work Online

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and treating the person with respect and acceptance, which helps clients explore feelings and values while building a strong therapeutic relationship. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and stress; it is practical and goal-oriented, often including specific exercises between sessions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches attention and awareness practices that can reduce reactivity and improve coping with chronic pain, stress, and emotional upheaval.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then recommend and adapt methods such as CBT or mindfulness techniques to fit the situation. Over time the plan can be adjusted based on progress and changing priorities so the work stays focused and useful.

Online therapy offers flexible access to these approaches through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats allow people to attend sessions from home or while balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, and they make it easier to maintain consistency in treatment despite busy schedules or geographic constraints. Licensed professionals can use the same structured tools and conversational interventions online to support meaningful change.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does this therapist commonly address?
She works with a broad set of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, depression, coping with life changes, addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, chronic pain and many other areas listed in her specialties.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style is active and often directive, combining client-centered listening with structured techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, narrative, and solution-focused work to help clients set and reach practical goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She brings 27 years of experience in the mental health field, including extensive work in county and agency settings as well as independent practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups.
What credentials and location should I know about?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the credential CA LMFT 30965 and practices from California.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for therapy?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or through text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Fees vary depending on location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in beginning therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

27+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English