Dr. Arlene Unger, CA Psychologist
California · 30 years in practice
Dr. Arlene Unger uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside cognitive and acceptance-based methods to help people handle the hard parts of life.
License and registration
- Psychologist, California
- 15383 · expires May 2027
- NPI
- 1508961863 · national provider identifier
- Years in practice
- 30
- Languages
- English
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.
About Arlene
Dr. Arlene Unger uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside cognitive and acceptance-based methods to help people handle the hard parts of life. She focuses on practical steps people can take to reduce anxiety, manage stress, and cope with grief or loss.
Her style is direct and compassionate, aiming to make each session feel focused and useful. She brings 30 years of experience as a California psychologist to sessions. That experience includes supporting people dealing with depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, and intimacy-related concerns.
Background and approach
She also helps with sleep and eating challenges, career stress, and compassion fatigue. Her approach blends Emotionally-Focused Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. That mix helps people notice patterns, name painful emotions, and try new ways of responding.
Sessions often include simple skills practice, values-based goals, and ways to manage panic or strong emotions. Dr. Unger also addresses relationship and communication problems, parenting strain, feelings of isolation, and issues like guilt or low self-esteem.
She works with matters related to LGBT identity and with people facing life transitions or purpose questions. She aims to make progress feel steady and realistic. Sessions are available in English and delivered through video calls, phone, live chat, or text messaging.
People start by completing a short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to the therapist’s availability. Costs vary by location and the practice uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Arlene lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Depression
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Arlene names
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
How Emotion Work and Active Skills Translate Online
Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people notice and name the emotions that shape difficult patterns, then practice new ways of responding to those feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors that reduce symptoms like panic, worry, and low mood. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages people to clarify their values and take small steps toward a meaningful life while learning to accept difficult internal experiences.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will partner with the client to choose methods that match goals, tolerance for emotional work, and daily demands. That collaborative process can change over time as needs shift and progress is made.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging. Video is useful for deeper emotion-focused work and visual connection. Phone sessions can fit into a busy day or when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text are helpful for short check-ins, homework guidance, or when a written exchange feels easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other routines while keeping the focus on practical skills and emotional change.
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Questions people ask
What kinds of concerns are addressed?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep and eating problems, parenting strain, career concerns, ADHD, and related challenges.
What is the therapist's approach and style?
Sessions mix Emotionally-Focused Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to combine emotion work, thoughts-and-behavior tools, and values-based action.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience as a practicing psychologist in California, working with a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is listed as CA Psychologist 15383 and is located in California.
Are sessions offered in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are available?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different schedules and needs.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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