- Practical strategies
- Family systems focus
- 22 years experience
About Gary
Gary Youssef is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 22 years of clinical experience. He focuses on supporting people through stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, parenting challenges, relationship and family concerns, and other life transitions. He works with individuals who are coping with trauma, ADHD, compassion fatigue, chronic illness, and caregiving strain.
Gary draws on practical, goal-oriented methods in session. He uses clear tools from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help people spot unhelpful patterns and try small, manageable changes. He also brings Motivational Interviewing and Systemic Therapy perspectives when addressing motivation and family dynamics.
His background includes long-term clinical roles in pediatric behavioral health and support for military families. Gary has worked in outpatient psychiatry settings and in pediatric clinics where he provided behavioral health services to large numbers of children, adults, and families. He has experience addressing school and career stressors and working alongside medical teams.
Sessions are conversational and practical. Clients can expect collaborative goal setting, checking what works, and adjusting plans as needed. Gary also uses coaching techniques when people want structured help with choices and next steps.
Outside of work he is a father who enjoys athletics and cooking. His approach aims to be warm, straightforward, and solution-minded while respecting each person’s goals and pace.
Gary draws on practical, goal-oriented methods in session. He uses clear tools from approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy to help people spot unhelpful patterns and try small, manageable changes. He also brings Motivational Interviewing and Systemic Therapy perspectives when addressing motivation and family dynamics.
His background includes long-term clinical roles in pediatric behavioral health and support for military families. Gary has worked in outpatient psychiatry settings and in pediatric clinics where he provided behavioral health services to large numbers of children, adults, and families. He has experience addressing school and career stressors and working alongside medical teams.
Sessions are conversational and practical. Clients can expect collaborative goal setting, checking what works, and adjusting plans as needed. Gary also uses coaching techniques when people want structured help with choices and next steps.
Outside of work he is a father who enjoys athletics and cooking. His approach aims to be warm, straightforward, and solution-minded while respecting each person’s goals and pace.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy
Experience
22+ years
Credentials
California, Ohio
Languages
English
How Gary Uses Practical Therapies Online
Gary often draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change thought and behavior patterns that feed anxiety, depression, or problematic habits. CBT offers concrete exercises and small experiments people can try between sessions to see what helps.He also uses Solution-Focused Therapy to keep work goal-oriented and efficient. This approach concentrates on strengths, past successes, and next steps so sessions stay focused on what a person wants to change sooner rather than later.
Finding the right approach is treated as a team effort. Gary works with each person to choose methods that match their goals, comfort, and day-to-day needs. He checks progress and shifts strategies when something isn’t working for the client.
Confirm the available session formats before booking since current options are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Some people find video helps with face-to-face conversation, while phone sessions can be useful for lower bandwidth or brief updates. Ask about format options when scheduling to see what will best fit daily life.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Gary help with?
He supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, parenting and family concerns, trauma, ADHD, compassion fatigue, chronic illness, and related issues.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Sessions are practical and conversational, with collaborative goal setting and short-term strategies to try between meetings.
What experience does he bring to therapy?
He has 22 years of experience, including long roles in pediatric behavioral health and work supporting military families.
What credentials and location are on file?
He is listed as LMFT and LIMFT and practices from Ohio.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.