- CBT strategies
- Attachment work
- Motivational interviewing
About Lisa
Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 20 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, anger, grief, depression, bipolar challenges, and life transitions. Sessions can also address relationship and parenting concerns, attention differences, and work-related strain.
Her early work began after a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000. She provided therapy and case management in a residential setting for children who had experienced abuse, and that background shaped a focus on safety and practical supports. Over two decades she has carried that hands-on approach into outpatient work with people facing trauma, family problems, and mood disorders.
Lisa describes her style as goal oriented and client centered. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people spot unhelpful thinking and test new behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based ideas and motivational interviewing to untangle relationship patterns and boost readiness for change.
In a typical session she talks through immediate problems, sets small, realistic goals, and practices concrete skills people can use between sessions. Expect collaborative planning, direct feedback, and steps you can try at home to reduce reactivity and handle frustration more effectively.
Sessions are conducted in English and Spanish. People who want to know which formats are currently offered should confirm available session options before booking. To begin, follow the site's matching steps and schedule a first appointment.
How her approaches translate to online work
Lisa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors; CBT is useful for managing anger, anxiety, and low mood by focusing on practical skills and experiments. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at relationship patterns and emotional bonds to understand where anger and reactivity come from, and it can help people change how they respond in close relationships. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversational method that helps people clarify their goals and strengthen motivation for making changes.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. She will work with clients to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying an approach, reviewing how it goes, and adjusting plans so sessions remain useful and relevant.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins can fit a break at work, and not being in transit saves time. It can also allow people to continue regular work on thinking and behavior skills from their usual surroundings without needing to travel.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, bipolar issues, grief, relationship and parenting concerns, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is goal oriented and client centered. She uses practical techniques and collaborative problem solving.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience, including work in residential settings and long-term outpatient care.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Virginia and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.