Gera Irvine

I'm a therapist based in Irvine, California, and I've spent 25 years helping adults and veterans work through anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and the after-effects of trauma. I'm a LMFT licensed in GA. Most of the people I see arrive feeling stretched thin: an anxious mind that won't quiet down at night, a low mood that has dulled things they used to enjoy, a relationship that keeps hitting the same wall, or anger and irritability that catches them off guard. Some are also managing ADHD, and the focus and follow-through struggles that come with it. I don't think any of that means something is wrong with you. I think it makes sense, given what you've lived through. I believe therapy is to help you understand the pattern, and then build something steadier in its place, at a pace that feels humane.

My approach is collaborative and direct. I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, worry, and depression: we look at the thoughts and habits that keep the cycle spinning, and we practice concrete tools between sessions. For trauma, I move slowly and use trauma-informed methods, building safety and coping skills before we go anywhere painful. You always set the pace. With relationship issues, whether you come in alone or with a partner, I help you see your part in the dynamic without shame and get clearer about what you actually need. For ADHD, anger, and irritability, we get practical: structure, focus strategies, and ways to catch frustration before it turns into an outburst. Expect warmth, some humor, and honest feedback when it will help.

You'll leave each session with something you can actually use, whether that's a tool, a reframe, or a clearer sense of what's driving the pattern. Over time, clients tell me their anxiety gets quieter, their mood lifts, they argue better instead of just arguing, and they stop bracing for the next bad thing. Our first session is mostly me listening and learning your history, so there's no pressure to have it figured out before you get here.