Key details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, California / 11015
- NPI1336281948
- Experience30 years
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
- LocationCalifornia
About
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness exercises
- Motivational interviewing
About Abel
Abel Fernandez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with 30 years of professional experience. He works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, parenting pressures, low self-esteem, depression, and anger. He also supports people facing relationship strain, grief, trauma and abuse, career concerns, and life transitions.
Abel centers sessions on practical problem solving and straight talk. He treats clients as the experts on their own lives and builds on existing strengths. Conversations focus on what is getting in the way now and on small, manageable steps forward.
He uses tried approaches like cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thinking, mindfulness exercises to reduce reactivity, and motivational interviewing to boost readiness for change. These methods are used to address both immediate upset and longer term patterns. Sessions include skills practice, reflection, and planning for real-world situations.
Abel brings decades of experience to common concerns such as anger, parenting stress, and work frustration. He also works with issues like abandonment, caregiver stress, codependency, and social anxiety. He offers therapy in English and Spanish for people located in California.
To begin, clients complete a short questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online pathway. The subscription model used for sessions can be canceled at any time. Abel encourages taking a first step and meeting to see what approach fits best.
How sessions work
How his approaches translate to online sessions
Abel commonly uses cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness work in session. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, useful for anxiety, anger, and low mood. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and improve focus in stressful moments.He also draws on motivational interviewing to support readiness for change. That approach uses open questions and reflective listening to clarify goals and build momentum. Together these methods offer practical tools rather than only talk, and they are applied collaboratively to match a client’s goals and preferences.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the early work. Abel will help clients choose which methods to try based on their needs and what feels useful in practice. The first sessions typically include problem identification, brief skills practice, and planning small experiments to try between meetings.
The biography does not specify which online session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make sessions easier to fit into daily life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. These practical benefits help people maintain consistency while learning new ways to manage anger, stress, and related challenges.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He helps with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, parenting pressures, relationship strain, grief, trauma and related concerns.
What is his therapy style like?
Sessions are practical and collaborative, focusing on skills practice and real-world steps rather than abstract discussion.
How much experience does he have?
He has 30 years of professional work experience as a social worker in clinical settings.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CA LCSW) and practices in California.
Does he work in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.