Joel Morrison
(he/him)
Hello. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 10 years of licensure and 25 years of experience in social work overall. I've sat with people through some of their hardest moments, first in hospitals and crisis units, then alongside therapists, psychiatrists, and nurses in community mental health, and now in private practice. I specialize in working with adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, ADHD, life transitions, burnout, and grief. My approach draws from evidence-based methods including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), somatic work, narrative therapy, and psychodynamic thinking. I pull from whichever approach fits the person and the moment. Our work together can be structured and methodical, creative and intuitive, or a mix of both. Some clients want concrete tools. Others want space to talk things through. Both are welcome, and we adjust the approach to what works for you. People are remarkably specific in their struggles and strengths. The exact way someone shuts down, springs into action, or just endures is worth paying close attention to. I have a "come as you are" mentality. Tired, grumpy, not sure what you want to say, or showing up with a set agenda, all of that is welcome. I don't want anyone to feel like they have to perform. I work with adults throughout California via telehealth and accept a wide range of insurance including Kaiser, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, and Medi-Cal through Partnership HealthPlan and other managed care plans. ** For more about my background, approach, and the areas I serve, visit joelmorrisonlcsw.com.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Learn more at joelmorrisonlscw.com In our first session, my aim is simple: to make it easy for you to show up and say what you need to say. We'll take time for you to share what's bringing you to therapy, what you've tried before, and what you hope might be different. I'll do a thorough assessment to get a clear picture of where you are and where you want to go. The first session is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a feel for how I work. Some clients arrive with a clear plan. Others aren't sure where to start. Both are fine. By the end of the session, we'll have a shared sense of direction and can decide together how to move forward. ** For more about my background, approach, and the areas I serve, visit joelmorrisonlcsw.com.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My greatest strength comes from the range of experience behind me. 25 years in social work overall, 10 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I've worked in hospitals and crisis units, community mental health, and private practice. I've sat with people for just a few hours during the hardest moments of their lives, and I've worked with others for years at a stretch. That range sharpens how I listen. I notice patterns across people without losing sight of what makes each person specific. I think in terms of systems, context, and intersectionality, which means I pay attention not just to what someone is going through, but to the conditions they're going through it in. This helps me look past the surface of what gets said in a session and work with what's actually happening underneath. ** For more about my background, approach, and the areas I serve, visit joelmorrisonlcsw.com.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
My ideal client is an adult ready to look honestly at something that's been weighing on them. Anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, burnout, grief, a life transition that has you reconsidering how you want to live, all are welcome. High-functioning and exhausted, newly struggling or carrying something for years, uncertain or ready, none of that matters at the outset. Many of the clients I work with are capable on the outside and tired on the inside. They show up for work, family, and obligations, and struggle with feeling very depleted. Others connect with me in the middle of something acute. A loss, a health scare, a breakup, a career change, a diagnosis they didn't expect. Still others have been managing on their own for years and have finally decided to to try therapy again or for the first time. I also work well with clients who have complex histories. Childhood trauma, long-term depression, chronic stress from caregiving or crisis work, the kind of nervous system depletion that doesn't respond to a basic rest. If you've tried therapy before and felt rushed, pathologized, or pushed too fast, I'm glad to offer something slower and more collaborative. I welcome clients who want structure and concrete tools, and I welcome clients who mostly want space to think out loud. I welcome people who are articulate and certain, and people who are fumbling through sentences trying to describe something they don't yet have language for. What I care about is that you want someone to collaborate with around getting the changes you are looking for. ** For more about my background, approach, and the areas I serve, visit joelmorrisonlcsw.com.
Specialties
Top specialtiesADHD
Anxiety
Depression
I identify as
Man
White
Licensed in
California
Accepts
Aetna
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Eclectic
I use an eclectic method, drawing from the strengths of various theoretical frameworks and weaving together elements from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Humanistic principles, Psychodynamic insights, and more so that I can adapt our approach to a treatment that is responsive to you as a whole person and considers your unique psychological makeup, life history, and personal goals.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy both in my private practice setting and during my time working with clients at a mental health facility and it has helped to create meaningful change in my clients' lives. CBT is both a set of techniques and a way of understanding and interacting with the world. By focusing on the here and now, we can work to identify and alter unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that are impacting your well-being. My approach to using CBT is both empathetic and practical and I believe in the power of small steps leading to big changes.
Humanistic
Humanistic therapy is grounded in the belief that everyone possesses an inherent capacity for personal growth and healing. By focusing on your individual experiences and perceptions, we can use this approach to encourage self-exploration and self-acceptance. The approach is about understanding you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms or challenges.
Psychodynamic
In Psychodynamic Therapy, we can explore how your past experiences and unconscious mind affect your current beliefs, feelings, and behavior. This method assists in identifying patterns and emotions that might be outside of your awareness, leading to a deeper self-understanding and the development of healthier relationships. Together, we can work towards drawing meaningful connections between your past and present, aiming to enhance your overall well-being.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), our focus is on accepting emotions and experiences without judgment, understanding their context, and committing to actions that align with your values. This approach increases psychological flexibility, enabling you to adapt to situations with openness, awareness, and focus. It offers a practical way to develop resilience and pursue your life goals, despite the challenges you may face.
1 rating with written reviews
May 20, 2025
Joel is easy to talk with as he's compassionate, intelligent, a great listener, and solution focused. He's gently helping me set goals, and I'm starting to see the value in discussing the process of setting and achieving goals with a helpful guide. Thanks to Joel, I'm feeling like I'm building a kind of emotional safety net with a good guide.