- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
About Robert
Robert McAlister is a California psychologist (CA Psychologist 23930) with 26 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and depression. He speaks English and works with clients who want clearer ways to handle intense emotions and difficult life situations.
He focuses on the patterns that keep problems repeating. That can mean looking at attachment and abandonment concerns, codependency, communication problems, or triggers tied to past trauma. He also helps with caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and issues like hoarding or impulsivity.
In sessions he uses approaches such as Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Those methods guide how conversations are structured and how goals are set, whether the work is about mood, addiction, or relationships between feelings and behavior.
He aims to create straightforward ways to notice patterns and try different responses. Clients can expect direct discussion about what’s happening and practical skills to test between sessions. The focus is on manageable steps rather than long lectures.
To begin, clients follow the site’s matching process and schedule a first session. The subscription model used for sessions can be canceled at any time, and international clients are accepted.
How therapy approaches are used in online sessions
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and naming emotions and how those emotions shape relationships and behavior. It helps when patterns of withdrawal, anger, or disconnection keep repeating and the goal is to understand what feelings are underneath those patterns.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches practical ways to accept difficult thoughts while committing to values-based action. It can help with anxiety, depression, and ongoing struggles like addiction by clarifying what matters and building small steps toward those values.
Client-Centered Therapy centers the conversation on the client’s experience and priorities. The therapist follows the client’s lead, reflects back what’s said, and helps translate insight into day-to-day choices.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss how EFT, ACT, or client-centered work might fit the person’s needs and goals. This is a collaborative decision made early in care and revisited as progress or challenges appear.
Practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy into a busy schedule and reducing travel time. Online work can make shorter check-ins easier to arrange and let people use sessions around work or caregiving duties. Confirm the current session formats during booking so you know how appointments are delivered before the first meeting.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
26+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, and depression. Additional areas include attachment issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and impulsivity.
What therapeutic approach does he use?
He uses Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside ACT, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, and DBT. Those approaches shape how he talks with clients and sets goals.
How long has he been practicing?
He has 26 years of professional experience working with people facing mood, trauma, and addiction challenges.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed as a California psychologist with the credential CA Psychologist 23930 and practices in California.
Are sessions available in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with him?
International clients are accepted; confirm time zones and scheduling during the intake process.
How is payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.