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CL Portrait of Cheryl Leong

Cheryl Leong

Practical, culturally aware therapy for relationship challenges

LMFT California

Experience
18 years in practice
Focus areas
LGBT, Relationship, Coping with life changes
Approaches
Gottman Method, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Languages
English

About Cheryl

Cheryl Leong is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 18 years of clinical experience. She brings a warm, direct style and practical tools to brief therapy.

Background and approach

Cheryl focuses on helping people with relationship concerns, ADHD, life changes, and LGBT issues. Her sessions tend to be short-term and goal-oriented.

She uses mindfulness techniques to slow things down and help people notice patterns. She also offers clear, usable strategies people can try between sessions.

Cheryl emphasizes cultural humility and works to affirm LGBTQIA+ identities. She also offers support for immigrants and people navigating multicultural stressors.

That focus shows up in straightforward conversation and respectful curiosity about each person's background. In practice she blends structured approaches with a collaborative tone.

She listens for what is most pressing and then suggests skills or small experiments to test between meetings. She keeps feedback direct and simple so clients can see what changes are possible in a few sessions.

Her style is suited to people who want practical help quickly rather than open-ended exploration. Cheryl helps people set a clear goal, learn a few tools, and check progress over a short series of sessions.

Her work is aimed at clarity, steady steps, and respect for each person's life story.

Online approaches that fit busy lives

Cheryl uses the Gottman Method and cognitive behavioral therapy in accessible ways. The Gottman Method focuses on practical skills that improve communication and manage conflict in relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people identify unhelpful thinking and try small behavior changes to reduce stress or ADHD-related struggles.

She also incorporates mindfulness so people can notice reactions as they happen and choose different responses. The therapist works together with each person to decide which combination of methods feels most useful for their goals and daily life. That process is collaborative - goals, preferences, and practical needs guide the plan.

Online work is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are good for in-depth conversation and skill practice. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not wanted. Chat and text options are helpful for brief check-ins, coaching-style tasks, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to try different ways of working until a good fit is found.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Cheryl address?
Cheryl helps people with relationship issues, coping with life changes, ADHD, LGBT topics, and coaching-style work. She also attends to multicultural concerns and immigrant experiences.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is warm, honest, and pragmatic. She uses mindfulness and practical exercises to help people make small changes quickly.
What is her background in therapy?
She has 18 years of clinical experience working with diverse clients. Her approach blends structured techniques with collaborative goal-setting.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a CA LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. Her practice is based in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are provided to clients within the therapist's allowable locations.
What formats are available for meeting online?
Sessions can be done by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does cost and starting therapy work?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTRelationship issuesCoping with life changesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

18+ years

Licensed in

California

Languages

English