Peggy Lingard, LCSW
Experienced California LCSW supporting life transitions
- Anxiety and stress support
- Grief and loss recovery
- LGBTQ-affirming care
About Peggy Lingard
Peggy Lingard is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with four decades of clinical experience helping people navigate major life changes. After a move to California early in her career led to a dramatic shift in her supports and sense of self, she rebuilt her resilience by reconnecting with people, nature, and creative pursuits such as painting, which she has continued for more than 18 years. That personal journey shaped her belief in action-focused recovery - talking less and doing more - and informs how she supports others facing loss, anxiety, transitions, or questions about direction.
She trained with leaders in the field and developed expertise in Family Systems Theory, problem-solving, divorce mediation, solution-focused approaches, narrative therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, resilience building, and mindfulness. While she is familiar with many evidence-based techniques and is glad to discuss the supporting research, she places the therapeutic alliance first and treats each person as a collaborative partner in deciding which methods will be most useful. Peggy integrates skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance when they fit the client's goals and temperament.
Personal experience also shapes her work. She is a lesbian with three grown children and a wife who is African American, and she approaches diversity as an ongoing learning process. Peggy welcomes clients who are ready to increase transparency, release what is not working, and use their own strengths as the core resource for growth. As a clinician, she aims to see each person with fresh eyes and to support practical steps toward a more meaningful life.
She trained with leaders in the field and developed expertise in Family Systems Theory, problem-solving, divorce mediation, solution-focused approaches, narrative therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, resilience building, and mindfulness. While she is familiar with many evidence-based techniques and is glad to discuss the supporting research, she places the therapeutic alliance first and treats each person as a collaborative partner in deciding which methods will be most useful. Peggy integrates skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance when they fit the client's goals and temperament.
Personal experience also shapes her work. She is a lesbian with three grown children and a wife who is African American, and she approaches diversity as an ongoing learning process. Peggy welcomes clients who are ready to increase transparency, release what is not working, and use their own strengths as the core resource for growth. As a clinician, she aims to see each person with fresh eyes and to support practical steps toward a more meaningful life.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
Blended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSInfidelityLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Gottman Method Mindfulness Therapy Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Peggy Lingard have?
Peggy Lingard has 40 years of experience.
Is Peggy Lingard a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the LCSW credential, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her license is recorded as CA LCSW 21947.
In which languages does Peggy Lingard provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English.
Where is Peggy Lingard located?
Peggy Lingard is located in California.
How can I work with Peggy Lingard as my therapist?
You can work with Peggy Lingard through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Peggy Lingard work with international clients?
Yes, Peggy Lingard works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Peggy Lingard 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.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Peggy Lingard
Peggy Lingard uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify their values and take practical steps toward a meaningful life; ACT emphasizes noticing thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them and is often useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. She also practices client-centered therapy, which focuses on providing empathic listening and unconditional positive regard so that clients can lead the direction of their own change; this approach supports trust building and self-discovery during periods of grief, identity work, or relationship challenges. Additionally, she draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills such as mindfulness and distress tolerance to offer concrete tools for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and coping with stress.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Peggy will work with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and will introduce techniques incrementally so that the plan feels practical and respectful of the client’s pace. She aims to tailor interventions rather than impose a single model.
Online therapy with Peggy includes video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time. These options offer flexibility for people balancing work, caregiving, or geographic limitations, and allow therapy to continue even when life circumstances change.