Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf, LMFT

Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf is a Doctor of Psychology and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 29 years of experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, parenting challenges, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping concerns, anger, bipolar disorder, and related issues. Her work includes attention to attachment and family of origin matters, communication and control problems, and concerns such as infertility and infidelity.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thought patterns and to replace them with more constructive ways of thinking. Vanessa describes how early beliefs shape later behavior and focuses on shifting those beliefs into more realistic perspectives. She also uses mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety and improve focus on what is working in a person’s life.

Her approach includes psychodynamic ideas about how past relationships affect present behavior. In sessions she talks through patterns that repeat and helps people see links between early experiences and current struggles. Conversations aim to clarify the beliefs that keep someone stuck and offer practical steps to change them.

Sessions tend to be straightforward and conversational with attention to both thoughts and emotions. She encourages people to take small, concrete steps between sessions so changes can be tested in daily life. Vanessa stresses that starting therapy takes courage and that the work is collaborative.

People who are dealing with persistent anger, relationship conflict, or recurring negative thoughts will find an approach focused on changing thinking patterns, developing mindfulness skills, and understanding long-standing relational patterns.

How her approaches translate to online sessions