Polly Parks , LCSW

Polly Parks is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in California with 14 years of professional therapeutic experience and continuous good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. She works with people facing depression, anxiety, stress, grief, anger, and the distinct challenges that can arise for LGBTQ2+ individuals, and she brings specific expertise in trauma and abuse treatment. Her background includes supporting students and professionals after the 2019 Saugus High School incident in Santa Clarita, reflecting experience in crisis and trauma response.

Polly holds membership in the National Association of Social Workers and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and she has completed the California-required BBS telehealth training certification. She is also in long-term recovery from alcohol since July 6, 2006, and maintains an informed perspective on recovery pathways, including familiarity with AA, NA, EA, OA, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and a recommendation of SMART meetings for addictions.

Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns such as grief, anger, gender dysphoria, substance and process addictions, domestic violence, hospice and end-of-life counseling, issues related to BDSM and kink, and struggles with guilt, shame, isolation, and life purpose. Polly offers afternoon and evening appointments on weekdays and sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, with days off on Wednesday and Thursday. Typical session start times are 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 - she does not hold sessions at 4:00. In keeping with NASW ethics and safety considerations, she will not conduct sessions while a client is driving. Polly cultivates an open, nonjudgmental space to help people take the courageous step of beginning therapy.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Polly combines evidence-informed methods to support emotional healing and practical change. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters most to them and develop skills to act on those values even when difficult thoughts or feelings arise - this approach can be useful for anxiety, depression, and issues with motivation or avoidance. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, or EFT, centers on identifying and reshaping emotional responses in relationships, making it a good fit for couples work and individuals struggling with attachment, grief, or intense interpersonal emotions. Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the impact of traumatic events by helping clients process painful memories and reduce symptoms that interfere with daily life - this work is aimed at survivors of abuse, violence, or other traumatic experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Polly works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors care over time, combining strategies when appropriate to support recovery and growth.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, enabling people to access licensed professionals from home or work and to choose the format that fits their schedule and communication style.