Therapist profile
Cheri Atkinson, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Family and parenting focus
Continue with CheriAbout
- Stress and anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Chronic illness
About Cheri
Cheri Atkinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with over 40 years of professional experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem struggles, relationship and family concerns, parenting, and the effects of chronic medical conditions.
She has worked with adults and children who face disability, chronic illness, and major life changes after accidents or medical events. Cheri helps people name the practical problems they face and learn emotional coping skills they can use day to day. Sessions are straightforward and focused on what the person needs now.
Her approach adapts to each client's situation. She aims to create an open atmosphere where thoughts and feelings can be discussed without judgment. The work often includes building skills to manage strong emotions, improving communication, and problem-solving around daily stressors.
Cheri also supports people dealing with caregiver strain, cancer, chronic pain, and the long-term effects of illness. She brings experience with issues like guilt, shame, forgiveness, isolation, and midlife transitions. Those facing panic or mood disorders can expect practical techniques alongside emotional support.
People who want help balancing work, health, and family roles may find her straightforward style helpful. She asks about goals early, and then focuses on small, manageable changes that fit each person's life. To begin, readers are encouraged to follow the site's steps for scheduling an initial session.
How sessions work
Evidence-based approaches and online sessions
Two common evidence-based techniques she uses are cognitive and skills-focused methods that help people recognize unhelpful thought patterns and develop new ways of coping. These approaches help with anxiety, depression, panic, and stress by offering concrete tools to test thoughts and change reactions.Another helpful approach involves behavioral and problem-solving strategies to manage practical challenges such as caregiving duties, chronic illness, or daily overwhelm. This includes breaking problems into smaller steps, improving routines, and practicing specific communication skills for family interactions.
Finding the right method is part of the work. She will discuss goals and try different techniques to see what fits your needs and preferences. That decision is collaborative and may change over time depending on progress and changing circumstances.
Session format details are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals often use these conveniences to help therapy slot into everyday life without requiring major schedule changes.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family or parenting issues does she address?
She helps people work through family conflict, parenting stress, communication problems, and the pressures that come with caregiving and chronic illness.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is practical and adaptive. She focuses on discussing concerns plainly and building emotional coping skills and problem-solving strategies.
How long has she been practicing?
She has over 40 years of professional experience working in clinical settings and with people facing medical and life changes.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.