Leonard Burns, LMFT
Compassionate California LMFT for trauma and relationships
- Trauma and PTSD
- Relationships and family
- Online sessions available
About Leonard Burns
Leonard Burns is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California, with a career that spans more than three decades. He has combined training in family systems, psychodynamic therapy, and EMDR with extensive practical experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. Over the years he has developed a practice grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with a strong, honest relationship between therapist and client.
He has supported individuals recovering from complex PTSD as well as those managing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, cancer survivorship, and the search for identity in environments that can be unwelcoming to nontraditional lifestyles. His work honors the realities of difficult change - acknowledging that growth can be both frightening and demanding - while offering steady support through the process.
Clients who choose Leonard can expect a clinician who values openness, collaboration, and perseverance. He frames therapy as a shared journey and positions himself as an ally alongside clients who are ready to commit to meaningful work toward healing and improved connection.
He has supported individuals recovering from complex PTSD as well as those managing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, cancer survivorship, and the search for identity in environments that can be unwelcoming to nontraditional lifestyles. His work honors the realities of difficult change - acknowledging that growth can be both frightening and demanding - while offering steady support through the process.
Clients who choose Leonard can expect a clinician who values openness, collaboration, and perseverance. He frames therapy as a shared journey and positions himself as an ally alongside clients who are ready to commit to meaningful work toward healing and improved connection.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryVisually impairedWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Leonard Burns have?
Leonard Burns has 35 years of experience as a therapist.
Is Leonard Burns a licensed therapist?
Yes. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and holds the California license CA LMFT 25369.
In which languages does Leonard Burns provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English.
Where is Leonard Burns located?
Leonard Burns is located in California.
How can I work with Leonard Burns as my therapist?
Clients can work with Leonard Burns through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Leonard Burns work with international clients?
Leonard Burns does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Leonard Burns cost?
The cost of therapy with Leonard Burns can vary depending on factors such as a client's location and his availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with Leonard Burns. Depending on his availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care with Leonard Burns
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take practical steps toward a more meaningful life despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and patterns of avoidance because it emphasizes action guided by what matters most to the client.
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on the ways early and current relationships shape emotion, trust, and security. This approach can help people address relationship difficulties, intimacy concerns, and patterns that repeat across partnerships and family life.
Client-Centered Therapy creates a respectful, nonjudgmental space in which the therapist follows the client's lead, offering empathy and support to foster growth. It is particularly helpful for building self-esteem, processing grief, and navigating life transitions.
Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Leonard works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their goals, needs, and preferences. He adapts interventions as progress unfolds and as priorities change.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone appointments, live chats, or text-based messaging - which makes it easier to fit care into busy lives, to maintain continuity during life changes, and to access licensed professionals from different locations.