Arlene Drake , LMFT

Arlene Drake is a California-licensed therapist with four decades of clinical experience supporting individuals and families through transitions, trauma, and relationship challenges. She holds the LMFT credential, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, reflecting training in relational and systemic approaches to care. Over her 40-year career she has worked with people facing LGBT concerns, family conflict, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related difficulties, and the stress and anxiety that can accompany life changes.

Arlene approaches therapy from a strengths-based perspective, believing each person knows their story best and brings resources that can be mobilized for change. She emphasizes collaboration, helping clients identify goals and build on existing strengths to reduce shame, address attachment and abandonment issues, and clarify relationship and career priorities. Her work also addresses issues such as adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric concerns, infidelity, codependency, and post-traumatic stress.

Clients can expect a supportive, empowering partnership focused on practical steps toward a more fulfilling life. Arlene values the courage it takes to seek help and aims to create a respectful space where people can explore healing, repair relationships, and develop coping strategies for ongoing challenges.

Evidence-based approaches and accessible online care

Arlene uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to relationship and trauma-related concerns. She offers work that focuses on family and relationship dynamics, helping people explore patterns, improve communication, and repair connections that contribute to conflict or distress. She also applies trauma-informed methods to help individuals process past hurt and reduce symptoms linked to abuse or post-traumatic stress, with attention to pacing and safety. In addition she incorporates skills-based strategies to address stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes, teaching practical tools for emotional regulation and problem solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Arlene collaborates with each person to identify goals, try interventions that match their needs and preferences, and adjust methods over time so care remains responsive and effective.

Online therapy with Arlene is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which makes scheduling more flexible and accessible for people with busy lives or mobility constraints. These options allow clients to engage from their chosen location and maintain continuity of care when in-person visits are difficult, while working with licensed professionals experienced in relationship and trauma work.