Gayle Bradley-Starkes, LCSW-C, LICSW

Gayle Bradley-Starkes is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with 27 years of experience in mental health practice in Maryland. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship strains, grief, anger, addiction concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, self-esteem challenges, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. She also supports those managing adoption or foster care matters, caregiver stress, and codependency-related patterns.

Gayle uses a straightforward, person-focused approach. She treats clients as the experts on their lives and looks for existing strengths to build on. Sessions are conversational and practical, aimed at helping people notice what is happening in their relationships and day-to-day choices.

Her work draws on client-centered techniques that keep the person’s priorities in view. She also uses mindfulness practices to help people regulate emotions and reduce reactivity. These methods can be useful for anxiety, anger, sleep trouble, and relationship patterns where people put others first.

Gayle has long experience with family of origin issues, blended family dynamics, and the stresses that come from caregiving or parenting roles. She talks through communication and control issues, commitment questions, and the aftermath of separation or loss.

Practical supports are emphasized. Clients can expect help in setting boundaries, recognizing people-pleasing patterns, and developing clearer responses to difficult situations. The goal is clearer choices and more manageable daily routines rather than quick fixes.

How client-centered and mindfulness approaches guide online work