Charley Gallay

Hi, I’m Charley. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m an Associate at Crossroads, currently working toward dual licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Professional Clinical Counselor. I hold a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and I completed my undergraduate studies at UCLA. Before joining Crossroads, I spent two valuable years at Pelican Cove Counseling Center, a community clinic dedicated to long-term, depth-oriented therapy. That experience deepened my belief that healing doesn’t come from quick fixes—it unfolds in relationship, through time, trust, and shared curiosity.

My approach is rooted in psychodynamic and existential traditions, and I’m especially influenced by the work of D.W. Winnicott, whose ideas about authenticity, play, and the holding environment continue to inspire me. I often integrate Internal Family Systems (IFS), as I find it a powerful way to encounter and engage the many parts that make us who we are. I also pay close attention to attachment dynamics—how our early relationships shape the way we love, protect ourselves, and move through the world. At the heart of my practice is a belief in the importance of a safe, attuned, and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship—one that supports your process of self-discovery, healing, and growth.

Therapy can be both challenging and deeply rewarding, and there’s no single right reason to begin. Whether you’re navigating a life transition, facing a recurring emotional pattern, or simply curious to know yourself more fully, I see therapy as a collaborative and evolving process. I believe each person carries an inner compass—a sense of what they need and where they’re headed. My role is to help you tune into that inner guidance within a space that honors your pace, your complexity, and your truth.