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FG Portrait of Francis Joseph Gallego

Francis Joseph Gallego

Compassionate, experienced LCSW guiding practical growth

LCSW California

Experience
22 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Francis

About Francis

Francis Joseph Gallego is a California-licensed clinical social worker with more than two decades of practice supporting people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, addiction, and grief.

Background and approach

He brings experience working with LGBTQ concerns, family conflict, intimacy-related issues, parenting stresses, compassion fatigue, and complex conditions such as bipolar disorder and chronic illness. His approach emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and cultural humility while addressing how systemic oppression and intergenerational trauma shape well-being.

Gallego adapts treatment to each person, blending evidence-informed techniques including cognitive behavioral strategies alongside attachment-focused and client-centered methods. He also integrates elements from dialectical behavior therapy and Jungian perspectives when helpful, tailoring interventions to practical goals like coping with life changes, improving communication, managing anger, and rebuilding self-esteem.

With a background of clinical work across multiple states, he frames therapy as a collaborative process that honors each client’s values and lived experience. Clients can expect a thoughtful, goal-oriented dialogue that balances emotional exploration with skills-based tools.

Francis frames the therapeutic relationship as a space for growth and healing, and he supports clients who are navigating family problems, caregiving stress, gender dysphoria, addiction recovery, and other layered challenges.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support



Francis often uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical skills for managing anxiety, mood shifts, and behaviors that interfere with daily life. Attachment-based therapy is also part of his work, focusing on how early relational patterns influence current relationships and emotional responses, which can help with intimacy issues, abandonment concerns, and family dynamics.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is treated as a collaborative process. He will work with each client to explore which methods align with their goals, values, and preferences, adjusting strategies over time so treatment remains responsive and person-centered.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care from California or internationally, allowing clients to engage in therapy from locations that fit their daily life while maintaining a steady therapeutic relationship.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Francis commonly address?
He works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and family problems, grief, intimacy-related issues, and career or life transitions.
What is Francis's therapeutic style and approach?
He combines client-centered dialogue with practical, evidence-informed techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based work, and elements of DBT and Jungian ideas to meet individual needs.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Francis brings 22 years of professional experience, including work across New York, Hawaii, and California.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He holds the LCSW credential and practices in California under CA LCSW 61341.
Does he work with non-local or international clients?
Yes, he accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
What session formats are available?
Clients may meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging according to availability.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on his availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesLife purposeMen's issuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

22+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English