Profile / United States
Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf, LMFT
California
Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf - LMFT, Anxiety and Relationship concerns
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness techniques
- Psychodynamic reflection
About Vanessa
Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf is a Doctor of Psychology and a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. She has 29 years of clinical experience and works with concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship problems, parenting challenges, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy issues.
Her work focuses on helping people notice repetitive, unhelpful thoughts and habits. She uses concrete techniques to identify negative thinking and to reframe those patterns. Mindfulness practices are included to help reduce anxiety and improve mood by shifting attention toward what is working in daily life.
Dr. Graf describes early experiences as shaping core beliefs. She uses that idea to look at how childhood-formed beliefs influence current behavior and relationships. The goal is to replace irrational or harmful beliefs with more balanced ways of thinking.
Sessions involve clear, practical steps rather than abstract theory. Clients practice new responses between sessions and bring results back for review. This approach aims to make small, sustainable changes to thoughts and actions.
She also integrates psychodynamic ideas to trace repeated patterns back to their roots when that helps the work. The combination of cognitive-behavioral work, mindfulness, and psychodynamic reflection frames a straightforward, skills-based practice. People who prefer direct, structured work often find this style useful.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Graf uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. In online sessions this looks like practical exercises, thought records, and planning small behavioral experiments to try between meetings.She also incorporates Mindfulness Therapy to teach focused attention and simple grounding practices. These tools help reduce worry and improve sleep by training attention and noticing what is happening in the present moment.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. She will discuss goals and preferences and choose techniques together. That collaborative process helps decide whether to focus more on cognitive-behavioral tools, mindfulness practice, or psychodynamic reflection at different stages.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available online options before booking. Online work can make scheduling easier and reduce travel time. It can also allow shorter check-ins or sessions that fit around work or caregiving, and it makes it easier to practice skills in the environments where they will be used.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
29+ years
Listed in
California, Colorado
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns as well as depression, addictions, grief, trauma and intimacy issues.
How does she use CBT in sessions?
She helps people identify unhelpful or automatic thoughts and practices reframing them into more balanced beliefs through structured exercises.
What is her professional background?
She holds a Doctor of Psychology degree and has practiced for 29 years, combining cognitive-behavioral methods with mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in California and practices from that state.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.