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SJ Portrait of Dr. Stacy Johnston

Dr. Stacy Johnston

Practical, strengths-based therapy for life challenges

CA Psychologist 17457 California

Experience
32 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Stacy

About Stacy

Dr. Stacy Johnston is a California licensed psychologist (CA Psychologist 17457) with 32 years of clinical experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, and low self-esteem.

Background and approach

She emphasizes clients' strengths and personal insight, guiding them to apply practical tools that support day-to-day coping and improved confidence. Her approach blends cognitive behavioral techniques with client-centered listening and solution-focused strategies, all aimed at identifying actionable steps and shifting unhelpful patterns.

Dr. Johnston values collaborative work and frames the client as the expert on their own life, partnering to clarify goals and build skills for communication, boundary setting, and emotional regulation.

In addition to live sessions, she offers asynchronous text-based messaging alongside video, phone, and live chat options, which she has used successfully with many clients. This flexible model can provide more frequent touchpoints and the chance to reflect in writing, while still allowing clients to choose formats that match their preferences and schedules.

Online Approaches and Practical Access to Care

Dr. Johnston commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and client-centered therapy in online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more adaptive patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathic listening and supporting clients' own goals so people feel heard and can develop confidence and self-direction.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative; she partners with clients to determine which combination of methods best matches their needs, goals, and preferences. That process often begins with exploring immediate concerns and trying techniques together, then adjusting the focus based on what proves most helpful.

Online sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or asynchronous text-based messaging, offering flexibility for varied schedules and communication styles. Text messaging can allow clients to reflect in writing and receive responses within a typical timeframe she uses, while live sessions provide real-time interaction. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to maintain continuity when in-person meetings are not practical.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dr. Johnston commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, and self-esteem challenges, along with related issues such as attachment, codependency, communication problems, and infidelity.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and strengths-based, combining client-centered listening with practical techniques to help clients set goals and build coping skills.
What is her professional background and experience?
Dr. Johnston is a licensed psychologist in California with 32 years of professional experience supporting people through a range of emotional and interpersonal difficulties.
What credentials and location information are available?
She is licensed as CA Psychologist 17457 and practices in California.
Can clients work with her in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English; she is not listed as accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Dr. Johnston provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, and notes that asynchronous text messaging is a format she has used extensively.
How are costs and billing handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in getting started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Solution-Focused Therapy

Experience

32+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English