- CBT focused
- Mindfulness practice
- 29 years experience
About Vanessa
Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, and challenges like addiction or grief. She also supports concerns around self-esteem, body image, attachment and abandonment, and complex family or parenting stress. Dr. Graf brings a calm, direct presence and uses practical methods to help people change unhelpful thinking and habits.
She holds a Doctor of Psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, practicing in California. Over 29 years she has worked with many people who wanted clearer thinking and steadier mood. Her work often focuses on the connection between early beliefs and present-day choices, and she helps clients notice which thoughts keep them stuck.
In sessions she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and reframe negative thinking patterns. She also teaches mindfulness practices to reduce anxiety and lift mood. Her practice draws on psychodynamic ideas about how early relationships shape current patterns, explained in plain terms so people can apply insights right away.
Dr. Graf aims for a warm, straightforward style that mixes practical exercises with reflective conversation. She encourages small, doable changes and helps people build habits that support better sleep and daily functioning. Starting therapy is framed as a partnership where goals and steps are set together.
People looking to begin are guided through a short matching questionnaire and scheduling process. The focus is on workable strategies and steady progress rather than quick fixes.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Dr. Graf commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy in her work. CBT focuses on spotting and changing patterns of thinking and behavior that keep problems going, and it is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues and unhealthy habits. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing exercises to reduce stress and bring focus back to what is working in daily life.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. She works with each person to decide which tools fit their needs and goals. That collaboration means methods may shift over time as progress and preferences become clearer.
Confirm current session formats before booking to know what specific online options are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people practice sleep hygiene and mindfulness exercises in their usual routine, which can help transfer skills from sessions into everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
29+ years
Credentials
California, Colorado
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports stress, anxiety, sleep problems, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, addictions, grief, self-esteem and many related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm and direct, combining practical exercises with reflective talk to change unhelpful thinking and habits.
How much experience does she have?
She has 29 years of experience working in the field and has supported many people through changes in thinking and behavior.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds a Doctor of Psychology and is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with CA LMFT and CO LMFT listed.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
International clients are accepted, so people in other countries may be matched to her services.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps begin the process?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.