- Family of origin focus
- EMDR informed practice
- ACT and CBT methods
About Leonard
Leonard Burns is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 35 years of clinical experience. He works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, family of origin concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, addiction, LGBT issues, and other life challenges that affect everyday functioning.
He focuses on clear, direct conversation in sessions. He listens for repeating patterns that come from the family someone grew up in and helps people notice how those patterns show up now. He uses practical methods to manage anxiety, sleeping problems, anger, and difficulties with intimacy or self-esteem.
Over three decades he has worked with people facing complex PTSD, depression, cancer survivorship, and identity concerns. He also supports those coping with caregiver stress, chronic illness, codependency, and issues around attachment and abandonment. His background blends family systems, psychodynamic influences, and trauma-focused work such as EMDR.
Sessions are centered on building an honest working relationship and on taking steps people can use between meetings. He draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address thoughts and behaviors, and from Attachment-Based and Client-Centered approaches to look at relationship patterns.
He asks straightforward questions and offers concrete strategies for coping with life changes, parenting strain, compassion fatigue, and ADHD-related difficulties. People who want to understand how their childhood patterns influence current choices will find this a frequent focus in his work.
How therapeutic approaches guide online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that align with their values. It can be useful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early family relationships shape current patterns and is aimed at improving closeness, trust, and relationship behavior. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on straightforward listening and reflecting so a person can find their own solutions and clarify what matters to them.Choosing an approach is collaborative. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try methods that fit, and adjust the plan as needed. The first sessions often focus on identifying repeating family patterns and practical steps the client can try between meetings to test what helps.
The original biography does not specify which online session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Working remotely still lets a therapist use ACT exercises, attachment conversations, and client-centered reflection to address anxiety, relationship patterns, grief, and trauma-related symptoms.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family of origin concerns as well as trauma, grief, addiction, LGBT issues, sleep problems, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, and depression.
What is his therapeutic style?
He favors direct conversation and spotting repeating patterns from the family someone grew up in. Sessions focus on building an honest working relationship and practical steps to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has practiced as a therapist for 35 years, with long experience supporting people with complex PTSD, depression, cancer survivorship, and identity concerns.
What are his professional credentials and location?
He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
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.