Terese Ghilarducci

Compassionate therapist focused on practical change

LMFT California

Experience: 25 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Terese

Terese Ghilarducci is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 25 years of experience in California, bringing a practical and empathetic approach to clinical work.

Background and approach

She emphasizes cognitive behavioral techniques alongside client-centered strategies to help clients address stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, grief, addiction, and challenges related to ADHD and bipolar disorder. Her background as a social worker and long tenure in school counseling inform a strengths-based, solution-oriented style that values collaboration and clear coping tools.

Terese has extensive experience working with adolescents and their families, including foster youth and caregivers, and has provided classroom presentations and facilitated support groups on topics such as bullying, inclusion, and coping strategies.

Her practice integrates mindfulness, art, and journaling to support emotional expression and practical problem solving for issues like school phobia, family conflict, attachment concerns, and life transitions. Terese combines clinical skill with a warm, client-focused stance, helping people identify goals and build sustainable strategies for daily life.

Evidence-Informed Approaches and Online Care

Terese often incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy and client-centered techniques into online work. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and to improve everyday coping. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathetic therapeutic relationship that helps people explore feelings and set their own goals while feeling heard and supported.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. She works with each person to determine which methods fit their needs and preferences, combining practical skill-building with reflective exploration so goals and strategies evolve together. The therapist adapts techniques based on progress, feedback, and what feels most useful for the client.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options allow scheduling around school, work, and family responsibilities, and support ongoing care when in-person meetings are not feasible. The range of formats also makes it possible to use brief check-ins, ongoing talk therapy, or written exercises like journaling and art-based prompts as part of the therapeutic plan.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Terese commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, parenting challenges, and concerns such as ADHD and bipolar symptoms.

What therapeutic approaches does she use in sessions?

Her practice blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness, and she also uses solution-focused strategies to help clients develop practical coping skills and short-term goals.

How much clinical experience does she bring?

She has 25 years of professional experience, including many years as a school counselor and earlier work as a social worker with foster children and families.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California, credentialed as CA LMFT 36326 and practicing within that state.

Does she work with clients in other languages or outside the U.S.?

She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.

In what formats are sessions offered?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How is cost handled for therapy 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 first steps to begin working with her?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling when the therapist is available.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsDepression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingIntellectual disabilityLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stress Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

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

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English