Brian Olden, LCSW

Brian Olden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 45 years of experience. He practices in California and brings a steady, experienced presence to conversations about life change and relationships. He writes plainly and focuses on helping people move toward goals they haven’t yet reached.

He frames therapy as a collaborative process. Goals are set together and tied to what a person wants to achieve. Sessions often focus on practical steps, recognizing strengths, and building strategies that fit everyday life. Brian emphasizes clear, realistic planning rather than abstract talk.

Much of his work addresses transitions. He helps people manage relationship shifts, career changes, and caregiver stress. He also has experience with trauma, including military and sexual trauma, and with issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, and bipolar challenges.

Brian uses a variety of approaches to match a person’s needs. He draws on client-centered methods to prioritize the person’s perspective, cognitive behavioral tools to address unhelpful thinking and behavior, and narrative ideas to reframe difficult stories. He aims to make each session useful and goal-directed.

People often come to him for support with parenting stresses, intimacy-related concerns, sleep problems, and managing anger. He also works with matters such as adoption and foster care, caregiving for aging relatives, chronic illness, and first responder issues. He encourages straightforward conversation and practical problem-solving.

He welcomes inquiries from English-speaking adults in California who want steady, experienced guidance through midlife and other major changes.

Approaches That Translate to Remote Work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on the person’s own perspective. The therapist listens closely, reflects what is said, and helps clients find their own solutions. This approach works well for exploring life goals and relationship choices.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact. It uses simple tools to identify unhelpful thinking and to practice new behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and patterns that get in the way of daily functioning.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy centers on emotions and attachment in relationships. It helps people name feelings and change interaction patterns that cause distance or conflict. This can help with intimacy issues and relationship transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Then he and the person will choose methods that fit those needs in a collaborative way.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. The main practical benefits are convenience and easier scheduling; therapy can fit into work breaks or busy days without travel. Online work can also allow shorter check-ins when needed and reduce the need to be on camera for every meeting. Ask about available formats when you complete the matching questionnaire.