Gayle Bradley-Starkes, LCSW-C, LICSW

Gayle Bradley-Starkes is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a client-centered approach to therapy. She encourages people to build on their own strengths when facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, and other life challenges. Gayle acknowledges that starting therapy takes courage and aims to support each person’s decision to move forward.

She draws on Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the work. Mindfulness Therapy is used to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed, and to develop practical ways to manage distress. These approaches are presented in simple, concrete ways during sessions.

With 27 years of experience, Gayle has helped people navigate a wide range of concerns including addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleep problems, self-esteem struggles, bipolar disorder, and ADHD. She also focuses on caregiving stress, adoption and foster care matters, and issues related to aging and geriatric concerns.

Gayle holds LCSW-C licensure in Maryland and an LICSW credential for the District of Columbia, and she has prior LCSW recognition in Virginia. She offers sessions in English and does not take international clients. Practical steps and coaching elements are included when useful to meet each person’s goals.

To begin, Gayle asks people to use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability. The program uses a cancellable subscription for sessions.

How client-centered and mindfulness approaches work online

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the client’s lead. The therapist reflects what matters to the client and helps people set goals that feel relevant and doable. This approach is useful when someone wants guidance that respects their own perspective and pace.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches short practices for noticing thoughts, body sensations, and emotions without getting swept away. These techniques can help with anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and strong emotions by giving tools for calming and grounding in the moment.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Gayle will work with each person to decide whether client-centered work, mindfulness practices, or a mix makes the most sense. Goals, preferences, and daily routines all guide that decision so the plan fits real life.

Session formats are not listed in the biography, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow brief check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people practice mindfulness skills between sessions and bring real-life situations into conversation for immediate problem solving.