Dr. Robert McAlister
Psychologist
California therapists accepting new clients
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About Robert
I’m a licensed psychologist in California & New York with extensive experience supporting individuals through life’s most challenging moments. Over my career, I’ve worked with clients navigating depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, PTSD, trauma, addiction, and bipolar disorder, among many other concerns.
My approach is grounded in compassion and genuine understanding. I work with clients across all life stages—from young adults facing identity questions to older adults navigating life transitions—and I’m committed to honoring each person’s unique background, values, and beliefs. Whether you’re exploring spiritual questions, processing grief, working through relationship difficulties, or managing the complexities of chronic illness, I’m here to support you.
I specialize in helping people address communication challenges, isolation, shame, trauma recovery, and life purpose. I also work with specific populations, including military veterans, first responders, and those managing co-occurring challenges. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can explore what’s weighing on you and discover meaningful paths forward.
I believe in meeting you where you are, drawing on evidence-based approaches tailored to your needs. Taking that first step toward therapy takes real courage, and I’m honored to walk alongside you in your healing journey.
What Robert helps with
- Addictions
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
Show 55 more areas
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Postpartum depression
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Traumatic brain injury
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
How Robert works
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Existential Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
What clients say
- “Exceptional therapist. He is more humanizing and not just clinical. He comes from an understanding, caring and thoughtful perspective with outlooks and solutions. He is why I enjoy sessions and why I continue with BetterHelp. He’s a huge support!”
- “I instantly could feel the care and compassion from Dr. McAlister. His warmth, listening and ability to humanize as well as help me set realistic goals and expectations, is exactly what I was searching for in a therapist. He made me feel very comfortable and that’s importance for this type of service. I’ll be sticking with him!”
These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.