Key details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, California / 4236
- NPI1992901383
- Experience40 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationCalifornia
About
- Stress and anxiety
- Anger management skills
- Chronic illness support
About Cheri
Cheri Atkinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with over 40 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, relationship strain, parenting concerns, and major life changes. Sessions are aimed at practical coping and clearer day-to-day functioning.
Cheri has long experience helping people adapt after illness, injury, and other life-altering events. She also supports those dealing with chronic medical conditions, caregiver strain, and the emotional effects of long-term disability. Her work covers concerns such as guilt, shame, control issues, and isolation.
Her approach focuses on straightforward skill-building. She helps clients develop emotional coping strategies and clearer communication habits. Conversations include identifying repeated patterns, managing strong feelings like anger, and practicing different ways to respond under pressure.
Cheri uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques adjusted to each person’s current needs. She draws on methods that help with mood disorders, panic, and trauma-related reactions when those issues are present. The goal is practical change that makes daily life easier to manage.
Sessions are conducted in English from California. People start by describing the immediate problem and the changes they want to see. Early appointments tend to focus on short-term skills, then expand into longer-term problem solving and relapse prevention as needed.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches and how online sessions work
Two useful evidence-based techniques Cheri commonly uses are cognitive-behavioral methods and skills-based emotion regulation. Cognitive-behavioral approaches look at how thoughts influence feelings and behavior, and teach practical steps to change unhelpful patterns like automatic anger responses. Skills-based emotion regulation focuses on tools you can practice - breathing, grounding, and short action plans - to reduce intensity and make different choices in heated moments.A second approach is problem-focused coping and communication training. This helps identify recurring conflict patterns and teaches clearer ways to express needs or set boundaries without escalating. It is useful for workplace tension, parenting stress, and relationship frustrations.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the early work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which techniques to emphasize based on goals, daily demands, and what feels doable. Sessions are adjusted over time as skills take hold.
Session formats are not specified here, so confirm the available online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit regular sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Many people find remote sessions help maintain momentum with practice between meetings while working toward calmer, more manageable responses.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger and related concerns does she address?
She helps with snapping at loved ones, workplace frustration, built-up resentment, and managing others' anger. Anger is treated alongside related issues like stress, grief, and relationship strain.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and skills-focused. Sessions emphasize learning emotional coping strategies and clearer ways to react in tense moments.
How much experience does she bring?
She has over 40 years of professional work experience. That experience includes long-term work with medical, disability, and life-change issues.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CA LCSW, practicing in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are offered?
Current session formats are not listed here; please confirm available session options before booking. The site’s booking flow will show the choices when scheduling.
How does pricing work and how do I get started?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, 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 unsafe, use the crisis numbers.