Lara Joynes-Whidden , LCSW

Lara Joynes-Whidden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a certified employee assistance professional who brings practical experience from both outpatient and inpatient settings as well as from workplace support programs. She focuses on mood disorders, employment-related concerns, family challenges, and substance abuse, offering guidance that addresses both immediate problems and longer-term coping strategies.

Drawing on clinical training and hands-on work with diverse clients, Lara emphasizes collaboration and mutual effort; she views therapy as a partnership in which client and therapist work together to move from where the client is now to where they hope to be. Her approach is adaptable, shaped by the needs of each person and aimed at building skills for managing stress, relationships, and recovery from addiction.

Clients can expect a respectful, goal-oriented process that integrates practical tools with supportive listening. Lara’s background in employee assistance programs also informs her work with workplace issues, helping people navigate employment challenges while attending to emotional and behavioral health needs.

Approaches for Online Therapy and How They Help

Lara uses client-centered therapy to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where a person’s goals and values shape the work; this approach is useful for building self-awareness and addressing relationship or identity concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it effective for anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep problems. Motivational Interviewing is a brief, collaborative technique that helps people clarify their reasons for change and strengthen commitment, which can be especially helpful with addictions and ambivalence about treatment.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lara works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors techniques over time so the work remains practical and aligned with what the client wants to achieve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - allowing clients to access licensed professionals and therapists without travel and to choose the format that best fits their schedule and comfort. This range of options can make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to integrate therapy into a busy life.