- Licensed inCalifornia
- License147318
- NPI 1760774988
- Experience14+ years
- LanguagesEnglish
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.
About Estella
Dr. Estella Lerlo is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 14 years of experience in California. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, and self-esteem.
Dr. Lerlo aims to make the first step easier by offering a calm, welcoming way to begin work on hard problems. She creates a setting where people can talk openly about painful experiences.
Conversations are straightforward and grounded, not full of jargon.
Background and approach
The goal is to help people feel heard and make choices that fit their life. Her work draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early bonds shape current relationships. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to address painful emotional cycles.
Mindfulness strategies are woven in to help manage stress and stay present. Sessions often involve practicing new ways to communicate and small, concrete steps to reduce anxiety. For relationship concerns she may use Gottman Method tools to improve communication and repair.
For trauma and post-traumatic stress she focuses on stabilizing reactions and building coping skills. Dr. Lerlo speaks English and works with adults who want a direct, compassionate approach.
She offers sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging. People who are ready to try therapy can begin by completing a brief questionnaire and scheduling a time to meet.
Credentials
- LMFT (California)
- License 147318 · expires June 2026
- NPI
- 1760774988 · national provider identifier
Both are public records. A state board register will confirm a license and its standing, and the national registry will confirm an NPI. This directory copies what the therapist lists and checks neither.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Estella lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Self esteem
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-love
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Estella names
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
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 attachment work and practical therapy translate online
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and emotional responses; online sessions can help people notice those patterns and try new ways of relating. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people name and shift painful emotional cycles so they stop repeating the same interactions.Choosing a therapeutic approach is a shared process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and practical needs, and together they will try methods that fit the client. Over time they adjust tools and focus based on what actually helps the person feel and function better.
Online formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging - make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video lets you see expressions and practice conversations. Phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text allow shorter check-ins, quick reflection, or ongoing support between sessions. These options give flexibility while keeping the work collaborative and focused on real-life change.
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Frequently asked
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, and low self-esteem. Additional focus areas include abandonment, attachment issues, codependency, infidelity, and post-traumatic stress.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is direct and compassionate, using plain language and practical steps. She focuses on open conversation and building skills that can be used between sessions.
How long has she practiced?
She has 14 years of professional experience working as a clinician in California.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, licensed in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to meet depending on client needs.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time.
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