Polly Parks

Polly Parks is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in California. She brings 14 years of experience helping people facing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and concerns common to LGBT individuals. Polly speaks plainly and focuses on practical steps to make day-to-day life more manageable.

Polly uses approaches that center the client's experience and values. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people clarify what matters most and take action toward it. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space for difficult conversations.

Her background includes work with students and professionals after the 2019 Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the World Association of Transgender Health. Polly also holds the California-required telehealth training certification through the state Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Polly names recovery from alcohol as a personal part of her life since 2006, and she draws on that experience when supporting people with substance use or process addictions. She is familiar with 12-step groups as well as SMART recovery and often discusses practical supports alongside therapy work.

Sessions are scheduled in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends with midweek days off. Polly emphasizes a calm, nonjudgmental space where people can speak honestly and figure out clear next steps.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice their thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for depression, anxiety, and finding direction after loss. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and letting the person set the pace and topics. This approach helps build trust and make honest conversations easier.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and past experiences to pick methods that feel most helpful. This is a collaborative process and the plan can be adjusted over time based on what is working.

The profile indicates the therapist has completed the California telehealth training requirement, but specific session formats are not listed in the biography. Confirm current online session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow for evening or weekend scheduling, and reduce travel time. They also let people use shorter check-ins when needed or choose audio-only exchanges if that better suits their needs.