Daniel Cha

I’m Daniel Y. Cha, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW #88939) based in southern California. I earned my Bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley and my Master of Social Welfare at UCLA. Over the past 13+ years, I’ve worked in a variety of mental health settings — including hospitals, state agencies, community organizations, and teletherapy platforms.

This wide range of experience has given me the opportunity to serve diverse populations, including:

• Adults living with mood and anxiety disorders
• Individuals navigating trauma, complex grief, or major life transitions
• People managing substance use and co-occurring conditions
• Clients with LPS conservatorships or medically fragile needs in hospital systems
• Individuals and families working through relationship, identity, and cultural challenges
• Patients in Penal Code 1370 (Incompetent to Stand Trial) or 1026 (NGRI) programs within forensic and hospital settings

I bring both professional training and lived wisdom to therapy, aiming to meet clients where they are while supporting them in moving toward growth and resilience.

Clients often describe me as warm, empowering, and holistic. I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely seen and supported while also encouraged to grow. My focus is on helping you build insight, self-trust, and practical tools for change.

I take a whole-person approach, exploring how your mind, body, relationships, and cultural background all connect to your well-being. You can expect honesty and collaboration from me, but always delivered with care and respect. Together, we’ll work toward meaningful, lasting progress — not just symptom relief, but genuine personal growth.

I use evidence-based practices like CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and solution-focused strategies, adapting them to your unique needs. My goal is to help you uncover long-elusive insights, build effective coping skills, and feel more grounded in your daily life.

Your first session with me is about getting to know you. I’ll invite you to share what brings you to therapy, what you’d like to work on, and any goals or concerns you have. We’ll go over your history, current challenges, and what’s been most difficult — but also talk about your strengths and what’s worked for you in the past.

I’ll also share a bit about how I work, answer any questions you have about therapy, and together we’ll decide on a plan that feels comfortable and realistic for you. By the end of the session, you can expect to leave with a clearer sense of next steps, whether that’s building coping tools, exploring past experiences, or setting specific goals for change.

Above all, my goal is for you to feel heard, supported, and safe as we begin working together.