SH Portrait of Soledad Hess

Soledad Hess, LCSW

Compassionate school-based clinician for anxiety and stress

19 years in practice · based in California · sessions in English · online sessions

Explore online therapy options

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.

About Soledad

Soledad Hess is a California-licensed clinical social worker with 19 years of experience. She currently works in middle school mental health and has also supported students at the high school level. Her practice includes helping people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, and low self-esteem.

She draws on straightforward, practical conversations to build coping skills. Sessions can include creative options such as art, music, or writing when a client prefers those tools.

Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be.

Background and approach

She emphasizes respect, sensitivity, and compassion in every interaction. Hess has provided grief support in hospice settings and has worked with people affected by trauma using trauma-informed practices. That experience shapes how she approaches panic, post-traumatic stress, and related anxiety concerns.

She can help people struggling with parenting challenges, caregiver stress, adoption and foster care questions, and attachment concerns by offering behavior-focused strategies and communication tools. Smoking and vaping cessation, drug and alcohol addiction, and relapse coping are also addressed in sessions. Work with her starts by shaping a plan together that fits each person’s needs and goals.

She adapts language and pacing so sessions are comfortable and accessible. Taking the first step can feel hard, and she acknowledges that courage is part of beginning therapy.

Approaches that support anxiety and life stress online

Soledad uses evidence-based techniques that focus on building practical coping skills. One approach emphasizes skill-building for anxiety and panic - teaching breathing, grounding, and step-by-step exposure to reduce avoidance and improve daily functioning. Another approach centers on behavior and problem-solving for addictions and habit change - identifying triggers, planning alternatives, and practicing new routines to reduce substance use and smoking or vaping.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist and client review needs, goals, and what feels comfortable, then try methods that fit. If creative options like art or writing appeal, those can be folded into the plan alongside conversation and skills work.

Online sessions are available by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible access. Video calls let people use visual cues and do longer therapeutic work. Phone sessions are a good option when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text messaging suit quick progress notes, brief reflections, or moments when typing feels easier than speaking. These formats make it simpler to meet around school schedules, work breaks, or caregiving duties while staying consistent with therapy goals.
Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does she address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, self-esteem, and related issues such as panic attacks, social anxiety, and trauma recovery.
How does she approach therapy and sessions?
Sessions are conversational and practical, focusing on coping skills and behavior strategies. Creative tools like art, music, or writing can be used if the client wants them.
What is her professional background?
She holds a California LCSW and brings 19 years of professional experience, including school-based mental health and hospice grief support.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is licensed in California and works with people in that state.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
She meets via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer flexible ways to connect.
How are costs and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps start the process of working together?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability to begin.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
19 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English

We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.