- Family of origin issues
- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and mindfulness
About Gail
Dr. Gail Masterson is a California LMFT with 28 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, grief, low self-esteem, career questions, and life changes. She also addresses family matters and family of origin issues alongside intimacy-related problems and ADHD-related challenges.
Gail uses straightforward conversation and gentle questioning to help people see options. She combines coaching-style work with psychotherapy when useful. That can mean focused short-term problem-solving or longer-term depth work depending on the person's needs.
Her background includes a BA in Humanities, an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a PhD in Psychology. Gail has extensive experience with teletherapy and early brief solution-oriented approaches from work with a nationally syndicated practitioner, alongside training in more in-depth psychotherapy methods.
In sessions she draws on Client-Centered methods to follow the person’s concerns and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. She also uses Existential ideas to examine meaning and Mindfulness practices to help with attention and regulation. Motivational Interviewing informs her coaching when someone wants to make a concrete change.
People come to her when old family patterns, life transitions, caregiver stress, aging concerns, fertility or end-of-life questions, or career and relationship strains feel overwhelming. She speaks English and practices in California. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Dr. Masterson uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely to what matters to the person and following their priorities rather than imposing a plan. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and helps people try practical steps to change them.She also draws on Existential Therapy when questions of meaning, life purpose, or midlife transition are central. That approach encourages direct conversation about values and responsibility and can help when someone feels stuck or empty.
Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. The therapist and client discuss goals, preferences, and the issues at hand and then work together to choose methods that fit. That may mean combining brief coaching-style work with deeper, longer-term therapy depending on what the person needs.
The biography notes experience with teletherapy, but does not list specific session formats here. Please confirm the current online session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so therapy can be more consistent with work or caregiving commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
28+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, self-esteem, parenting, career questions, and family of origin issues among other topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style blends conversational, client-centered listening with coaching and questioning to help people find practical steps and insight.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 28 years of experience practicing psychotherapy and related coaching approaches.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a California LMFT and practices in California.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.