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MP Portrait of Marcia Pontoni

Marcia Pontoni

Compassionate LCSW guiding practical change

LCSW California

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
LGBT, Relationship, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Marcia

About Marcia

Marcia Pontoni is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California who brings 25 years of clinical experience to her practice. She emphasizes evidence-informed approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques, and adapts conversations and plans to match each person’s circumstances.

Background and approach

Marcia prioritizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion while supporting people through grief, relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, trauma, and intimacy-related issues. Her work also addresses a range of life transitions and complex family dynamics, including aging and geriatric issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, cancer-related concerns, domestic violence, codependency, infidelity, and communication problems.

Marcia helps clients navigate control issues, guilt and shame, and compassion fatigue by combining practical strategies with empathic listening. She encourages clients to take courageous steps toward greater well-being and partners with them to set realistic goals and workable steps toward change.

Marcia typically offers sessions by video and telephone and arranges scheduling to fit availability. She frames therapy as a collaborative process aimed at empowering people to move toward a more fulfilling life while tailoring interventions to individual needs.

Integrating therapeutic approaches into online care

Marcia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering practical tools for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. She also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, providing empathic listening and collaborative goal-setting so clients feel heard and respected while they explore personal challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Marcia works collaboratively with each person to determine what methods fit their goals and preferences. She tailors the mix of techniques over time, checking in about progress and adjusting strategies to meet shifting needs.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which makes it easier to attend from home or while balancing other responsibilities. These formats provide scheduling flexibility and multiple ways to communicate, allowing clients to select the modality that feels most comfortable for their situation and to maintain continuity of care even when life is busy.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Marcia commonly address?
She works with issues such as grief, relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and intimacy-related problems along with related family and caregiving challenges.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
Her style combines client-centered listening with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness techniques, tailoring interventions to each person’s needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Marcia has 25 years of professional experience providing mental health support across a range of concerns and settings.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is an LCSW licensed in California with license number CA LCSW 18141 and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in languages other than English or accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available with this therapist?
She provides therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How is cost handled for ongoing sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesGriefDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Aging and geriatric issuesCancerCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersPostpartum depressionPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English