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Dr. Arlene Unger

Dr. Arlene Unger, CA Psychologist 15383

Therapist in California

Compassionate clinical psychologist focusing on practical change

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30 years of experience listed

CA Psychologist 15383 professional credentials

English languages

  • 30 years experience
  • Self esteem support
  • California based

About Arlene

Dr. Arlene Unger brings three decades of clinical experience to brief, practical work that helps people manage life’s hard moments. She is a CA Psychologist (California Psychologist license 15383) who draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to address stress, anxiety, depression, and self esteem concerns. Her style is direct and collaborative, aimed at helping people build coping skills and clearer perspectives.

People come to her for support with addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and parenting strain. She also helps with sleep and eating concerns, anger, career stress, ADHD, and bipolar mood challenges. Dr. Unger pays attention to how daily routines and thoughts shape emotional pain and practical functioning.

Her background includes a PhD in Clinical Psychology and additional certification in nutrition, wellness, mindfulness, life coaching, and substance abuse. She has written mindfulness visualization exercises and articles that reflect a focus on everyday tools that people can use between sessions.

In sessions she aims to identify small changes that make life easier and more meaningful. Work often includes practice between meetings, simple behavior changes, and ways to notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck. The goal is steadier functioning and more options for managing stress.

Dr. Unger sees clients in California and offers services in English. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking and follow the site's process to begin.

How her ACT, CBT, and EFT work in online care

Dr. Unger uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice painful thoughts and feelings without letting them dictate behavior, focusing on values-driven action. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns that keep stress or anxiety alive. Emotionally-Focused Therapy is applied to help people understand and express emotions in ways that improve close relationships and emotional connection.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. She will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and then try techniques that fit those needs. That way treatment stays collaborative and adjusts if something isn’t helping.

Session formats are not specified in the original biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into daily life - for example by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins when a full session isn’t possible, or enabling sessions during a work break. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and EFT techniques for remote conversations so people can practice skills between meetings and track progress over time.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesGriefDepression

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Communication problemsControl issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePanic disorder and panic attacksSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Experience

30+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, and self esteem among other concerns.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her approach is practical and collaborative, using ACT, CBT, and EFT techniques to help people build coping skills and change unhelpful patterns.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 30 years of experience as a clinician working with a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and is a CA Psychologist, license number 15383, practicing in California.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What is the first step to begin therapy?

Select the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

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