CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

CL Portrait of Cheryl Leong

Cheryl Leong

Supportive LMFT guiding practical change

LMFT California

Experience
18 years in practice
Focus areas
LGBT, Relationship, Coping with life changes
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method
Languages
English

About Cheryl

Cheryl Leong is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 18 years of clinical experience in California. She blends a warm, straightforward approach with evidence-informed tools to help people navigate relationship challenges, ADHD-related concerns, life transitions, and identity matters including LGBT and multicultural issues.

Background and approach

Her practice emphasizes cultural humility and affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients and immigrants while focusing on practical strategies that clients can apply between sessions. Her manner is compassionate yet honest, offering mindfulness-informed perspectives alongside structured techniques drawn from cognitive behavioral therapy and other approaches.

Cheryl typically frames support as short-term and goal-focused, helping clients clarify priorities and work toward specific, achievable changes. She aims to understand each person’s goals and tailors interventions to match those objectives, providing coaching-oriented guidance when helpful.

Sessions are intended to be pragmatic and collaborative, with an emphasis on equipping clients with skills for coping and growth. Cheryl communicates directly and respectfully to create a space where clients can explore concerns and develop strategies for moving forward.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Cheryl integrates cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness therapy into online sessions to provide concrete skills and present-moment awareness. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing alternative strategies to change behavior and mood, which can be useful for managing ADHD symptoms, relationship difficulties, and life transitions. Mindfulness therapy cultivates attention to the present moment and nonjudgmental awareness, supporting stress reduction and clearer decision making in daily life.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Cheryl works with clients to clarify goals and preferences, then tailors techniques from these approaches to fit the client’s needs. Over a few sessions she and the client assess what methods feel most helpful and adjust the plan as progress becomes clear.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it simpler to schedule appointments around work and personal commitments, and they allow ongoing access to tools and support between visits. The variety of formats also lets clients choose the communication style that best supports their comfort and therapeutic goals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Cheryl commonly address?
She works with LGBT issues, relationship challenges, coping with life changes, coaching needs, and ADHD-related concerns, while also attending to multicultural considerations.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is warm, compassionate, and honest, combining mindfulness perspectives with pragmatic tools to help clients make concrete changes.
How much clinical experience does she bring?
She has 18 years of experience practicing as a therapist in California and draws on that background to inform her work with clients.
What credentials and location are on record?
She is an LMFT with license CA LMFT 52417 and practices in California.
Which languages does she offer therapy in and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working together?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps should a new client take to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule appointments according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Multicultural concerns

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

18+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English