Therapist profile
Arlene Drake, LMFT
California
LMFT focused on relationships and trauma
Continue with ArleneWhere Arlene stands
- Credentials
- LMFT
- License
- LMFT, California / 18824
- NPI
- 1134424559
- Experience
- 40 years
- Languages
- English
- Location
- California
About
- Relationship patterns
- Trauma and abuse
- Codependency issues
About Arlene
Arlene Drake is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with 40 years of professional experience. She works with adults who are struggling with relationship patterns, stress, anxiety, life transitions, and trauma. She also supports people facing LGBT concerns, intimacy-related issues, career strain, and family conflict.
Arlene focuses on practical, down-to-earth conversation about what is happening now. She treats clients as the experts on their own lives and helps them identify strengths they already have. Sessions concentrate on real decisions, clearer boundaries, and ways to respond differently to recurring patterns that cause pain.
Her work often includes examining how past hurts shape current relationships and habits. That can involve looking at attachment, abandonment, or early family dynamics that keep someone stuck. Arlene also addresses issues such as body image, shame, infidelity, and codependency when they affect a person’s day-to-day life.
When someone is coping with big changes - divorce, adoption and foster care matters, aging, or career shifts - she helps break those changes into manageable steps. For trauma and post-traumatic stress she uses evidence-based techniques to reduce overwhelm and build steadier coping skills. The focus is on practical tools and small, sustainable shifts.
Her style is collaborative and straightforward. New clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session to begin the work together.
How sessions work
Evidence-based approaches and online sessions
Arlene uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address relationship patterns and trauma. One common approach focuses on recognizing and changing repeating interaction patterns that cause stress in relationships; it helps people notice triggers, try different responses, and practice clearer boundaries. Another approach she draws on targets symptoms of trauma and post-traumatic stress by teaching grounding strategies, emotion regulation, and step-by-step exposure to reduce overwhelm.Finding the right approach is part of the work. She collaborates with each client to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences, and adjusts techniques as progress is made. The client’s priorities guide which tools are used and how sessions are paced.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Many people find online sessions helpful for fitting therapy into workdays, reducing commute time, and keeping check-ins brief when needed. If you prefer a particular session style, confirm the available options during the intake process so appointments match your schedule and daily life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Experience
40+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and LGBT related concerns. Additional focus areas include codependency, family problems, and life changes.
What is her therapeutic style?
She treats clients as the expert on their story and uses straightforward, practical conversation to identify strengths and next steps. Sessions emphasize clearer boundaries and concrete coping skills.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 40 years of professional work experience in clinical practice and related settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT licensed in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I start a first session?
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 you are not safe at home, use the crisis and helpline numbers.