IFSTherapists

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LMFT

John Gilbert, LMFT

  • Experience30 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About John

John Gilbert is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with three decades of clinical experience in California. He blends Internal Family Systems with client-centered and cognitive approaches to help people disentangle from entrenched negative feelings, past events, and fear.

Background and approach

His background includes work in state hospital settings and independent practice, and he brings a creative, experience-informed stance to sessions. John has focused on areas such as stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, parenting, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

He also attends to challenges like chronic pain and illness, communication problems, dissociation, and co-occurring conditions. Using tools drawn from hypnotherapy, existential ideas, solution-focused strategies, and CBT, he aims to support practical change and personal growth.

Practical matters are addressed directly: his LMFT license is in California (CA LMFT 37413), and clients who require documentation should verify that this credential meets their requesting party's requirements. John accepts international clients and uses a variety of online formats to make therapy accessible for those balancing busy lives.

Integrating Approaches for Effective Online Care

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an approach that helps people identify and relate to the different parts inside them, offering a way to soften internal conflicts and heal from trauma and persistent negative patterns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and collaboration to create a supportive space where clients can explore goals and personal meaning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is often a collaborative process. The therapist will work together with each client to assess needs, experiment with methods, and adjust the plan over time so treatment aligns with personal goals and preferences rather than following a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, online therapy provides flexibility for people managing busy schedules, geographic distance, or health limitations. These formats allow for ongoing access to licensed professionals and make it easier to maintain continuity of care while pursuing practical skills, emotional processing, and goal-focused work.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?
John works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, parenting challenges, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
Which therapeutic styles guide his work?
He integrates Internal Family Systems with client-centered methods and cognitive behavioral techniques, and also draws on existential therapy, hypnotherapy, and solution-focused strategies to tailor treatment to each person.
How much clinical experience does he have?
John has practiced for 30 years, with experience spanning state hospital environments and independent practice settings.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with the license number CA LMFT 37413.
Can he work with clients who speak other languages or live abroad?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients for remote work.
What formats are available for sessions?
Therapy can be delivered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseCareer difficultiesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Autism and Asperger SyndromeChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCommunication problemsDissociationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameIntellectual disabilityLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyHypnotherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English