Therapist profile
Brenda Wicks, LMFT
LMFT specializing in family concerns and stress management
Continue with BrendaAbout
- Family and parenting issues
- CBT and DBT skills
- Trauma and grief support
About Brenda
Brenda Wicks is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 23 years of clinical experience. She works with adults on issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, parenting strain, addiction, grief, relationship difficulties, and coping with life changes.
She helps people who are facing family conflict, blended family challenges, attachment and abandonment concerns, and caregiver stress. Brenda also addresses intimacy challenges, anger, self-esteem, and the strain that comes from work or career transitions. Her practice includes support for people dealing with trauma and abuse and for those managing bipolar symptoms or substance use difficulties.
Her approach is practical and interactive. She draws on client-centered work to follow what matters most to the person. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used for emotion regulation and handling intense feelings.
Brenda also incorporates Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas for relationship and attachment concerns, and simple mindfulness techniques to help people manage stress and stay present. Sessions focus on clear goals, skills practice, and short-term strategies when useful, along with deeper work as needed.
She has experience supporting victims of violent crime and people who have lived through major environmental or human-caused stressors. Sessions are conducted in English and follow a practical, down-to-earth style intended to make the work straightforward and usable in everyday life.
How sessions work
How her approaches translate to online work
Brenda commonly uses Client-Centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in her work. Client-Centered therapy focuses on listening and following what matters most to the person to shape sessions around their concerns. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and helps people try small changes to break unhelpful patterns. DBT teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and handling relationship friction.Choosing the right mix of methods is collaborative. Brenda will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide which approaches and specific skills to try first and adjust the plan as progress and needs become clearer.
Session formats were not listed in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find online work fits into a busy day because it can reduce travel and make scheduling easier. It can also allow shorter check-ins when needed, or sessions that focus on skill practice and worksheets rather than long review. Talk with Brenda about the practical scheduling needs you have so sessions can fit into everyday life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
23+ 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, depression, addiction, grief, parenting strain, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and family problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is interactive and practical. She uses client-centered conversations, skills practice, and goal-focused work.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 23 years of experience working in multiple mental health settings, including work with victims of violent crime.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (CA LMFT) practicing in California.
Does she conduct sessions in other languages or work internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats does she offer?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats were not specified in the biography.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a 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.