- ACT techniques
- CBT methods
- Emotion work
About Arlene
Dr. Arlene Unger is a California psychologist (CA Psychologist 15383) with 30 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, and life purpose questions. Her practice includes a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues such as ADHD, bipolar concerns, eating and sleeping problems, and parenting stresses.
She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) when helping people address painful patterns. In sessions she focuses on concrete skills and practical shifts - learning new ways to respond to thoughts, building emotional awareness, and practicing different behaviors between appointments. That makes work feel actionable rather than abstract.
Her background includes a PhD in Clinical Psychology and long experience writing mindfulness visualization exercises and articles. She also lists training in nutrition, wellness, mindfulness, life coaching, and substance abuse supports; those inform how she thinks about overall wellbeing but do not change her role as a psychologist. She works in California and delivers services in English.
People who contact her often want help managing day-to-day stress, making a big life change, repairing closeness after conflict, or coping after loss. Her approach combines structured therapeutic techniques with attention to emotions and relationships. Prospective clients are invited to follow the site's process to see online therapy options and schedule a first session.
Her work commonly includes short-term skills coaching and longer therapeutic conversations depending on what each person needs. She encourages practical experiments between sessions, tracking small changes, and revisiting goals as life shifts.
How ACT, CBT and EFT inform online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting ruled by them, then committing to actions that reflect a person's values. It can help when someone feels stuck or uncertain about life purpose by clarifying what matters and testing small steps toward those values.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It uses specific exercises to change unhelpful thinking and build new habits, which is useful for anxiety, panic attacks, sleep problems, and low mood.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) concentrates on emotional experience in relationships. It helps people identify core emotions and communicate them more clearly, which can aid intimacy, communication problems, and relationship repair.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose ACT, CBT, EFT, or a mix based on their goals, preferences, and the problems they bring. That decision can shift as therapy progresses and as needs change.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they fit into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and let someone check in from a quieter spot or during a work break. Others prefer different arrangements; the therapist will discuss what fits a client's routine and how to structure sessions to support real-life change.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and life purpose questions, among other areas listed in her profile.
How would she approach feeling stuck or directionless?
She uses CBT and ACT to identify unhelpful patterns and try new behaviors, and EFT to address emotional blocks in relationships. Sessions emphasize practical steps you can try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience working in clinical settings and writing about mindfulness and visualization practices.
What are her professional credentials and where is she based?
She is listed as CA Psychologist 15383 and practices in California.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients book with her?
International clients are not currently accepted; she practices within California.
What session formats are used for appointments?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled and how do I begin?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.