About Graciela
Graciela "Gracie" Wangsnes is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in California. She brings 10 years of experience and offers therapy in both English and Spanish. Gracie focuses on helping people cope with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and family-related struggles using a warm, interactive style.
Gracie blends practical problem-solving with attention to feelings. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to help people change unhelpful thoughts and build values-driven action.
Background and approach
She also draws on client-centered principles to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space for conversation. Sessions are shaped to each person’s needs. Gracie works with people on self-esteem, body image, motivation, guilt and shame, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.
She listens first, then collaborates on clear, manageable steps to feel better day to day. Her approach emphasizes plain language and practical tools. People can expect short-term skills for stress management alongside deeper work on underlying patterns when needed.
Gracie tailors pacing and techniques so therapy fits each person’s situation and goals. Gracie encourages taking small steps after difficult experiences. She aims to help people build self-compassion and stronger coping strategies.
If you prefer working with a bilingual clinician who uses both structured techniques and empathetic listening, she may be a match.
Therapeutic approaches and how they work online
Gracie commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in her work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and still take actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, stress, and low mood. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and it often includes practical exercises to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning.Finding the right approach is a team effort. Gracie will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest strategies that fit. She adapts methods over time so the plan stays useful as needs change, and she encourages collaboration in shaping treatment choices.
Online therapy formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation and interactive exercises. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth or camera use is a concern. Live chat and text messaging make it simple to check in between sessions, send brief updates, or do shorter check-ins during a busy day. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into work, family, or school schedules while keeping the focus on practical progress and coping skills.
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
Also works with
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English, Spanish