About Craig
Craig Bissell, LCSW
I work in residential behavioral health and substance use treatment, and I also see clients in private practice. A lot of my work has been with people who are in real pain. People who have been written off, over-pathologized, misunderstood, or who have tried a dozen different things and still feel like nothing has really gotten to the root of it.
That work has shaped how I think about therapy. I care less about what sounds impressive on paper and more about what actually helps a person move. Private practice gives me the room to do that kind of work more deeply, more honestly, and at a pace that actually serves the person in front of me.
My approach draws from EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy. In real life, that means I'm listening closely, paying attention to patterns, reflecting back what I notice, asking questions that get underneath the surface, and using more structured tools when they are actually useful.
I don't think therapy should be a place where you talk while someone nods and occasionally says, “That sounds hard.” Sometimes it is hard. But good therapy should also help things shift.
People have told me I have a way of helping them see their own experience more clearly. I take that seriously. A lot of people come in feeling stuck, defeated, or tired of trying so hard. My hope is that they leave feeling more clear, more grounded, and more like themselves.
Outside the office, I'm usually with my wife and our three dogs, Remy, Esme, and Maple. I value a simple day done well.
Craig Bissell, LCSW
California LCSW #138179
Virtual sessions throughout California
How I think about this
Clarity over comfort
I'll tell you what I'm noticing. Kindly, but honestly. Real change usually starts when someone stops telling you what you want to hear.
Understanding before managing
Coping strategies have their place. But most patterns make more sense once you see what's underneath them. And once you understand them, they tend to start shifting on their own.
The whole person
You are not a diagnosis or a symptom list. The work is about your actual life, what matters to you, what's gotten in the way of it, and what's possible from here.
Your pace
Hard work, done at a pace your nervous system can keep up with. We don't rush toward the deep end. We build the conditions for real work and do it when you're ready.
In their words
"Working with Craig was incredibly helpful. Unlike many therapists, Craig gives every patient, and their unique situation, serious thought and consideration. He listens carefully and applies his many years of training and knowledge to provide valuable feedback and insight, as well as strategies to address different situations and issues. He genuinely cares and it shows in his approach. I cannot say enough about how he helped me, and my family."
"Craig assisted me in identifying realistic goals for my recovery. He provided personalized tools to aid in my struggle with addiction. I now use these tools daily to lead a fulfilled, hopeful, happy, and sober life."
"We will be ever grateful Craig came into our life. He has partnered with our family to help save our son's life. He is kind, compassionate, empathetic, and comes from a place of love."
"Craig restored my faith in therapists."
Education and professional background
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, California, License #138179
Master of Social Work, California State University Northridge
Trained in EMDR
Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Trained in Motivational Interviewing
Years of clinical experience in residential behavioral health and substance use treatment
Ongoing training in trauma-informed and recovery-informed practice
Want to see if this is a good fit?
Schedule a brief consultation. Low pressure, no commitment.
Schedule a Consultation