Richard Alongi

Richard Alongi is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people manage relationship strain, addictions, anxiety, low self-esteem, and major life changes. He writes short, direct plans with each person and focuses on practical steps that can be tried between sessions. He approaches conversations with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. With 36 years as an LMFT in California, he brings long experience to everyday concerns like grief, anger, career stress, and problems with intimacy. He adapts the pace and focus to each person, whether the need is coping strategies, coaching around motivation, or talking through attachment and abandonment worries. He also works with people facing ADHD, caregiver burnout, and issues tied to alternative sexual cultures such as BDSM and kink. His therapy style leans on client-centered listening and emotionally-focused methods that help people name feelings and rebuild connection. He also uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationship patterns shape current responses. Jungian perspectives are sometimes used to explore meaning, symbols, and deeper personal themes. Sessions are framed around clear goals and concrete skills. People can expect practical tools for managing stress, substance use patterns, or avoidance, plus space to reflect on identity and long-held patterns. The therapist will shape the plan to each person’s situation rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Richard emphasizes collaboration and steady progress. He encourages small experiments between meetings and checks what works, adjusting as needed.

How attachment and emotion work translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationship patterns shape current reactions. It helps people understand why they may feel abandoned, anxious, or shut down in close relationships and offers ways to change those patterns.

Client-Centered Therapy centers on empathic listening and following the client’s lead. This approach helps people feel heard, clarify goals, and build self-directed coping skills for issues like self-esteem, stress, and motivation.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people identify and shift hard-to-name emotions that drive conflict or avoidance. It is often useful for intimacy problems, grief, and rebuilding connection after betrayal or loss.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and personal style. That approach may change as progress is made, with regular check-ins to see what helps most.

Confirm the therapist’s current session options before booking, since formats are not specified in the biography. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during the day, or making scheduling across different time zones simpler. Talk with the therapist about practical needs like quieter surroundings, camera preferences, or shorter sessions so the plan matches everyday routines.