Christopher Standish, LCSW

Christopher Standish is an LCSW working in California with nine years of professional experience. He has practiced in publicly funded mental health clinics and in substance abuse treatment settings. Christopher focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, anger, low self-esteem, and depression.

He approaches therapy with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Sessions center on understanding each person's unique story and current struggles. Christopher aims to build practical strategies that fit everyday life rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions.

He uses a mix of approaches to match a person’s needs. That can include client-centered listening, cognitive tools to spot unhelpful thinking, motivational strategies to boost follow-through, and narrative work to reframe difficult chapters. He also draws on psychodynamic ideas to notice patterns that repeat over time.

Christopher has worked with a broad range of concerns beyond mood and anxiety. He has experience related to aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, attachment questions, family of origin problems, divorce and separation, addiction, fatherhood concerns, and struggles with guilt or shame. He also helps people wrestling with life purpose, isolation, and impulsivity.

In sessions he focuses on collaboration and clear planning. He will help set goals and revise them as needed. Making the first move can feel hard, and he acknowledges the courage it takes to begin.

How his approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes hearing your experience and shaping sessions around what matters to you. It helps when someone needs a steady, empathic listener to make sense of confusing feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting thought and behavior patterns that keep problems going and trying practical experiments to change them. It is often useful for stress, anxiety, and low mood. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative way to strengthen motivation and resolve mixed feelings about change, which can help with substance use, habits, and follow-through.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Christopher treats approach selection as a team effort. He will ask about your goals, what has or hasn't helped before, and what fits your day-to-day life, then try methods that match those needs and adjust as you go.

Please confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when helpful. Some formats use less bandwidth or do not require video, which can be useful for clients who prefer audio or a briefer session. These practical benefits can help therapy fit into work, caregiving, or other daily demands.