- Thought reframing
- Mindfulness skills
- Relationship focus
About Vanessa
Dr. Vanessa Prestridge Graf helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, parenting strain, and issues around self-esteem and intimacy. She also addresses addictions, grief, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping problems, anger, bipolar concerns, and LGBT-related issues. Her tone is practical and straightforward, with room for humor when it fits.
She uses ideas from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and change the unhelpful thoughts that keep people stuck. She often points out how beliefs formed in childhood continue to shape behavior today. Reframing those thoughts is a frequent part of her work.
Mindfulness practices are woven into sessions to help reduce worry and lift mood. Simple attention and breathing strategies are used to bring focus back to what is working rather than what is not. These techniques are presented in everyday language and practiced in real time.
She also draws on psychodynamic ideas to look at patterns that repeat across relationships and life stages. This helps people understand where longstanding problems come from and how they show up now. The goal is clearer self-understanding and more choice around reactions.
Dr. Graf is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California with almost three decades of clinical experience. She describes therapy as a collaborative process where courage and willingness to try new ways of thinking produce real change. To begin, clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule according to availability.
How Vanessa's approaches translate to online therapy
Dr. Graf uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify and change unhelpful thoughts that keep them stuck. CBT focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related problems.She also brings mindfulness techniques into sessions, teaching simple attention and breathing practices that reduce rumination and improve mood. These are short exercises you can practice during or between meetings to notice what is working and shift focus away from worry.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to emphasize thought work, mindfulness, or deeper exploration of past patterns to guide present choices.
The original biography does not list specific online session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, save travel time, and allow brief check-ins when a full session is not needed. Licensed professionals can adapt CBT exercises and mindfulness practices to remote sessions so progress continues even when meeting virtually.
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 people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting challenges, plus issues like grief, trauma, addictions, body image, and intimacy-related problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and conversational. She combines thought-focused work with mindfulness and exploration of recurring life patterns.
What is her professional background?
She has 29 years of clinical experience and has worked with many people over that time to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns.
Which credentials and location are listed?
She holds the LMFT credential and practices in California as a CA LMFT and CO LMFT.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.