- ACT and CBT methods
- Grief and loss
- Caregiver support
About Lia
Dr. Lia Willis is a Missouri licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 34 years of professional experience. She sees adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, career struggles, and major life changes. She also helps people coping with grief, addiction-related concerns, compassion fatigue, and family of origin issues.
She uses practical, conversational sessions to help people notice patterns that keep them stuck. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and take small, meaningful steps. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify thoughts and behaviors that feed distress, and client-centered methods to keep sessions grounded in the person’s own priorities.
Her work has included people facing physical illness and those navigating adoption and foster care questions, caregiver stress, aging and geriatric matters, and issues related to kink and alternative sex culture. She also supports people dealing with forgiveness, guilt and shame, and end-of-life concerns.
Sessions focus on clear goals, short-term strategies, and practical ways to handle anger and resentment. Conversations may include skills for managing intense feelings, changing unhelpful thinking, and building actions that match stated values.
Dr. Willis aims for straightforward, respectful dialogue. She asks about the real-world limits people face and helps shape steps that fit daily life. To get started, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people name what matters to them and take steps that match those values even when difficult feelings are present. It can be useful for anger that comes from frustration, loss, or life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact and teaches practical skills to shift patterns that keep anger reactive. Client-centered work keeps the conversation focused on the person’s own goals and experience and supports self-directed problem solving.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. That collaborative process helps decide which tools to use and how to pace sessions so progress fits everyday life.
The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people choose quieter surroundings, turn off the camera if that helps, or schedule sessions during a break at work to keep care manageable alongside other responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of anger issues does she help with?
She works with people who lose their temper with loved ones, feel mounting resentment, or are upset by someone else’s anger. Anger appears alongside stress, grief, addiction, and relationship difficulties in her practice.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses clear, conversational sessions that focus on goals and practical steps. Techniques come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered work.
How much experience does she have?
She has 34 years of professional experience working with emotional and physical health challenges. That background includes work with caregiver stress, hospice issues, and first responder concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Missouri LCSW and practices in Missouri.
Which languages are offered and are international clients seen?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are provided?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify formats. The site matching process will list the available ways to meet.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.