Brian Olden, LCSW

Brian Olden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 45 years of experience based in California. He presents as a steady, experienced clinician who helps people who are facing relationship strain, trauma, grief, anxiety, and career or life transitions. He notes a long history working with adults across many life stages and brings a calm, practical presence to sessions.

He prefers to set goals together with each person and tailors his approach to fit what the person wants to accomplish. His work often centers on improving relationships, addressing intimacy-related issues, coping with stress and depression, and managing the effects of trauma. He also supports people dealing with chronic illness, caregiving stress, sleep problems, and impulsivity concerns.

He uses a mix of approaches rather than a single method. Those include client-centered work that focuses on the person's experience, cognitive behavioral ideas that look at patterns of thought and behavior, emotionally focused methods for close relationships, EMDR for trauma processing, and narrative techniques to reframe life stories. Sessions emphasize practical steps and clear strategies that someone can use between meetings.

Brian says he values cultural sensitivity and notes time spent living overseas, which shaped his awareness of different backgrounds. He works with people who want to move through transitions - for example job changes, separation, or new caregiving roles - and who want help turning strengths into workable plans.

To begin, he asks people to pick the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to his availability.

How his approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person's own experience and priorities. The therapist listens closely, reflects what he hears, and helps the person identify goals and next steps. This approach is helpful for people who want a supportive space to sort through decisions and feelings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sessions often include practical exercises and short experiments to try between meetings, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress management.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people notice and change patterns in close relationships by identifying underlying emotions and needs. It is often used when partners or individuals want clearer connection and understanding around difficult emotions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options, try methods that fit the person's goals, and adjust over time based on what helps. Clients participate in choosing strategies and setting the pace of work.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, shorten travel time, and allow for quick check-ins when a brief conversation will help. It can also let people use approaches like CBT homework or narrative exercises in the rhythm of daily life. Confirm what formats are available and schedule sessions that suit your routine.