About
- Anxiety and stress
- Addiction support
- Career and grief
About Andrea
Andrea Plate is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California with 20 years of professional experience. She has extensive past work running a residential substance abuse treatment program within the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs and now sees individuals in the general population. She helps with stress, anxiety, addiction, career concerns, relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
Her experience includes nearly 15 years overseeing residential treatment for people facing homelessness and chronic mental illness. That work shaped how she approaches addiction and related challenges. She also teaches social welfare and addiction at a university in West Los Angeles, keeping clinical practice connected to current ideas and classroom discussion.
In sessions she uses a mix of methods based on what each person needs. Client-Centered Therapy guides how she listens and responds. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing help when someone wants practical tools for changing thoughts, behaviors, or substance use. She also draws on Psychodynamic and Solution-Focused approaches when they fit the goals.
Andrea aims to address immediate problems and longer-term patterns. Conversations focus on clear, manageable steps and honest reflection. She works with adults who want help sorting out career decisions, relationship tensions, addiction concerns, or the stress of caregiving and aging.
Her practice is grounded in direct experience with substance use treatment and community-based care. People who want a clinician with long-term field experience and a practical, straightforward approach often look to her background when deciding whether to reach out.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Andrea combines Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in brief, practical ways. Client-Centered Therapy means the therapist listens without imposing a plan and helps people name what matters most to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying small behavior changes to reduce anxiety, depression, or compulsive habits.She also uses Motivational Interviewing to support change when someone feels stuck. That method is conversational and goal-oriented, useful when addressing addiction, career shifts, or commitment to new routines. Choosing which approach to use is collaborative; the therapist and client decide together based on goals and what feels most useful.
Confirm the available session formats before booking, as current options are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also allow work with a licensed professional without rearranging a full day, which can help caregivers, busy professionals, and people balancing medical appointments. If you want to know specific formats offered, please check the session options during the booking steps.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with adults on stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, low self-esteem, and life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
She blends Client-Centered listening with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, plus psychodynamic and solution-focused techniques as needed.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 20 years of professional experience, including nearly 15 years running a residential substance abuse program in West Los Angeles.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CA LCSW) and practices from California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.