Polly Parks, LCSW

California · 14 years in practice

Polly Parks is a licensed clinical social worker who uses emotionally focused methods to help people understand and shift painful feelings.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 91857 · expires September 2027
NPI: 1134762305 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 14
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 Polly

Polly Parks is a licensed clinical social worker who uses emotionally focused methods to help people understand and shift painful feelings. She brings 14 years of experience working with mood struggles, grief, trauma, and concerns common to LGBT people. Polly writes plainly and listens closely so clients can name what matters and try different ways of coping.

Polly offers a calm space where people can talk about anger, loss, addictive patterns, or questions about gender and sexuality.

Background and approach

She also supports people dealing with domestic violence, substance issues, shame, and isolation. Sessions address small steps people can take between meetings as well as what happens in the room. Her work draws on Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, client-centered practice, and trauma-focused approaches.

That means attention to strong emotions, values-based action, and making sense of difficult memories. She meets people where they are and uses practical strategies to reduce distress. Polly has been licensed in California for 14 years as an LCSW.

She has experience responding to community trauma events and has worked with people across a wide range of life challenges. Her recovery background also informs her approach to addiction and relapse prevention. Sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging.

Polly schedules afternoon and evening appointments, including weekends, and asks clients to pick times that fit their routines.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Polly lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

LGBT
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Anger management
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Forgiveness
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Self-love
Sexuality
Women's issues

Approaches Polly names

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

Emotion-focused and values-based care online

Polly uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy to help people identify and work with strong emotions that keep them stuck. This approach focuses on what is happening in the moment between thoughts and feelings, and it is often helpful for grief, relationship distress, and persistent sadness.

She also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people clarify personal values and take small, practical steps toward them even when emotions are difficult. ACT can be useful for anxiety, mood struggles, addiction recovery, and finding direction in life.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Polly will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then shape sessions around what seems most helpful. The plan can change over time based on what works and what doesn't.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or text messaging can work for brief check-ins or step-by-step coaching between appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to maintain continuity when life is unpredictable.

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Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does Polly help with?

She helps people with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma and anger, along with issues related to LGBT identity, addiction, and sexuality.

What is Polly's therapy style like?

Her style blends emotionally focused work with client-centered listening and practical skills from ACT and trauma-focused approaches.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Polly has 14 years of professional therapeutic work experience licensed in California as an LCSW.

Where is she licensed and located?

She holds a California LCSW credential and practices with clients in California.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients.

What session formats are offered?

Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to match different needs.

How are costs handled?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Polly?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a session according to listed availability.

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