Terese Ghilarducci , LMFT

Terese Ghilarducci is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in the Bay Area of California, with 25 years of professional experience. As an LMFT she brings a systemic perspective to relationships and family dynamics while focusing on practical strategies that support young people and their caregivers.

Her early career as a social worker involved direct work with foster children and foster families, and for 17 years she served as a school counselor at an Alternative Education site in the Bay Area. In that role she supported adolescents facing challenges that affected their academic lives, including school phobia, stress and anxiety, depression, family concerns, and substance use. That background has given her extensive experience collaborating with students, families, and school staff to address barriers to learning and emotional wellbeing.

In the fall of 2024 she began working as a school counselor at an elementary school and will continue her work at that level. She regularly presents classroom lessons on bullying, inclusion, and coping strategies and facilitates support groups. Terese strives to use a client-centered approach and often incorporates art and journaling to help people explore feelings and patterns. She provides a calm, respectful space for exploration and values the trust involved in therapeutic work.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Options for Families and Youth

Terese primarily uses a client-centered approach, which emphasizes empathetic listening and collaboration to help individuals and families identify their own goals and strengths. This style supports self-exploration, relationship concerns, and issues that benefit from a compassionate, nonjudgmental stance.

She also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help people recognize and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is often useful for addressing anxiety, depression, school-related stress, and patterns that interfere with daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Terese works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit best with their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative process may combine different techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers practical flexibility. Sessions can be scheduled as video calls or phone sessions, and many clients also use live chat or text-based messaging for check-ins and between-session support. These options make it easier to access consistent care around school, work, and family commitments while maintaining continuity in the therapeutic relationship.