Andrea McLellan, LMFT
Licensed therapist blending practical strategies and empathy
- Solution-focused care
- Trauma-informed approach
- First responder support
About Andrea McLellan
Andrea McLellan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California who brings 14 years of clinical and forensic experience to her work with individuals and families. She combines a deep respect for family systems with practical, goal-driven interventions to help people address stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, and other areas of emotional life. Andrea has developed particular expertise working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child maltreatment, and elder abuse, attending closely to the ways family dynamics and generational patterns shape suffering and recovery.
In addition to clinical practice, Andrea serves as an adjunct professor of Psychology and is a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse. Her forensic consultation work with attorneys involves careful examination of the lives of court-dependent minors and other vulnerable people harmed within family systems. Those professional roles have deepened her appreciation for the importance of awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness in authentic healing.
Andrea favors practical, solution-focused strategies alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to set clear, realistic goals and reduce distressing symptoms. She also draws on approaches that explore underlying motivations and narrative patterns when needed. Andrea is attentive to the needs of first responders and public servants who routinely encounter others' pain and may experience acute stress responses. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys nature activities such as the beach, hiking, bird-watching, and camping, and she brings that grounded perspective into her therapeutic work.
In addition to clinical practice, Andrea serves as an adjunct professor of Psychology and is a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse. Her forensic consultation work with attorneys involves careful examination of the lives of court-dependent minors and other vulnerable people harmed within family systems. Those professional roles have deepened her appreciation for the importance of awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness in authentic healing.
Andrea favors practical, solution-focused strategies alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to set clear, realistic goals and reduce distressing symptoms. She also draws on approaches that explore underlying motivations and narrative patterns when needed. Andrea is attentive to the needs of first responders and public servants who routinely encounter others' pain and may experience acute stress responses. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys nature activities such as the beach, hiking, bird-watching, and camping, and she brings that grounded perspective into her therapeutic work.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorder
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Andrea McLellan have?
Andrea McLellan has 14 years of experience.
Is Andrea McLellan a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 51616.
In which languages does Andrea McLellan provide therapy?
Andrea McLellan provides therapy in English.
Where is Andrea McLellan located?
Andrea McLellan is located in California.
How can I work with Andrea McLellan as my therapist?
You can work with Andrea McLellan through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Andrea McLellan work with international clients?
Andrea McLellan does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Andrea McLellan cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches and Remote Care for Practical Healing
Andrea integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy into her online practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replacing them with more adaptive patterns - it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday problems where clear goal-setting and symptom reduction are priorities. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness - it is helpful for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and reducing reactive behaviors. She also uses Motivational Interviewing when clients face ambivalence about change; this collaborative style helps people clarify goals and strengthen motivation to pursue meaningful steps forward.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Andrea works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress is made. The aim is to choose interventions that feel useful and practical for the individual.
Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity when travel or life changes occur, and access licensed professionals from home or work. The range of remote formats supports different communication styles and allows therapy to be practical and accessible for many people.