Dr. Marva Bourne , LMFT

Dr. Marva Bourne is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California with nine years of clinical experience supporting individuals, couples, and families. She addresses a wide range of concerns including trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, addictions, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

Her professional background includes work in social services with teens and families who have fostered or adopted children, and she maintains a focus on the neurobiological effects of early childhood trauma and how those patterns shape a person’s life trajectory. Dr. Bourne holds a doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University and also earned master’s degrees in marriage and family therapy and in education counseling, training that informs her systemic understanding of family and relational dynamics.

In practice she integrates cognitive behavioral techniques, trauma-focused interventions, solution-focused strategies, and emotion-focused methods to create individualized treatment plans. Dr. Bourne emphasizes a collaborative process that supports increased awareness, practical coping skills, and healing across relationships and life stages.

Approaches, Collaboration, and the Convenience of Online Care

Dr. Bourne draws from several evidence-informed approaches to guide therapy. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships influence current patterns of connection and helps people repair relational wounds and build more secure bonds. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and the client’s own goals, providing a supportive space for self-exploration and growth that is useful for issues like self-esteem, life purpose, and coping with change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, and obsessive patterns.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. Dr. Bourne collaborates with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time as progress unfolds. This collaborative stance helps ensure treatment stays relevant and effective.

Online therapy with Dr. Bourne is offered through flexible formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - to accommodate different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from home, during breaks, or while managing family and work demands, supporting continuity of care even when life is busy.