Andrea McLellan , LMFT

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Andrea McLellan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with 14 years of experience who focuses on uncovering the root causes of emotional and relational difficulties so clients can recover their authentic selves. As an adjunct psychology instructor at a university and a court-recognized expert on sexual assault and child abuse, she combines teaching, forensic consultation, and clinical work. Her forensic psychology consultation includes work with attorneys representing court-dependent minors, where she examines how harm has occurred within family systems and the long-term, generational effects of childhood exposure to family chaos and trauma.

Andrea’s clinical perspective grew from advanced study in family systems theory and a belief that justice is only part of healing. She emphasizes awareness, responsibility, courage, and forgiveness as essential elements of authentic recovery, and she guides clients to discover and apply these principles in their own lives. Her practice emphasizes practical, goal-driven work; she often integrates solution-focused techniques with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to reduce distressing symptoms and set clear, achievable goals.

Andrea also offers specialized support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder or child maltreatment, and she extends care to public servants and first responders who experience acute stress. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys the outdoors - the beach, hiking, bird-watching, and camping - and brings that grounded perspective into therapeutic collaboration.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Andrea McLellan commonly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and she may incorporate Motivational Interviewing when appropriate. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and to build practical coping skills. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches concrete skills in emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversational style that helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen motivation for change, often useful when addressing addictions or commitment-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Andrea works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds. Clients are supported in setting clear, realistic goals and choosing techniques that feel workable in their daily lives.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, accommodate mobility or geographic constraints, and maintain continuity of care. Licensed professionals and therapists can use these modalities to provide effective, goal-oriented treatment tailored to each client's circumstances.