Dr. Steven Blakely , CA Psychologist 20483

Dr. Steven Blakely is a licensed psychologist who brings formal training and a long-standing commitment to learning to his clinical work. He holds a Ph.D. in psychology from the California Graduate Institute in Westwood, California, and earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu. In addition to academic credentials, he has completed certificates in behavioral medicine and hypnosis, which inform some of his therapeutic tools.

His background includes work in inpatient psychiatric settings, extensive experience conducting psychological and educational testing across the lifespan, and years serving the skilled nursing and assisted living senior population. That clinical breadth has shaped his focus on common challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief, worry, sleep difficulties, and coping with life changes. He also works with issues related to ADHD, addictions, trauma and abuse, parenting concerns, anger, bipolar disorder, and social anxiety.

Dr. Blakely emphasizes practices that support present-moment awareness and emotional regulation, incorporating acceptance, meditation, mindfulness, inquiry work, and spiritual exploration into treatment when appropriate. He uses structured homework and practical strategies to help people manage mood and quiet the mind, grounded in a belief that attention to the present and nonjudgmental acceptance support greater mood stability. He is credentialed as CA Psychologist 20483, indicating his California psychology license.

Approaches that support change in online therapy

Dr. Blakely draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT - which helps people clarify their values and develop flexible responses to painful thoughts and feelings rather than trying to eliminate them. ACT is often useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and for coping with life transitions.

He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - a structured approach that helps people identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is commonly applied to anxiety disorders, depression, panic, sleep problems, and difficulties with mood regulation.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Blakely works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and life context, and he adapts techniques from different therapies to suit individual needs rather than prescribing a single method.

Online therapy with licensed professionals can make that collaborative work more flexible and accessible. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow people to schedule care around work, family, or mobility constraints and to use the communication style that best fits their needs while still engaging in evidence-informed therapeutic work.