Lori Larson
Hello, I'm Lori! I'm a licensed LSCW living in Richmond, Virginia with my husband and 2 cuddly cats. Thanks for checking out my profile. Below you'll find a bit about my work experience and how it shapes what I do in sessions: I began my career as a music therapist and had the opportunity to work with a variety of settings, including community mental health, acute psychiatric, aging/memory care and with individuals with physical disabilities (or 'differently-abled' as I prefer to say!) As a young adult, I personally experienced issues with health anxiety, chronic pain/illness and neurodivergence that further fueled my passion and allowed me to discover my niche as a therapist. My personal and professional experiences have helped me understand the bigger picture of how mental health issues, trauma, and other systems can affect a person’s well-being.
My clients tell me my therapy style is a mix of offering support and validation while challenging them when needed - with a sprinkle of humor when indicated.
I enjoy working with people of all ages, but I have a particular interest in working with teens and adults experiencing mood disorders, issues with life transitions, neurodivergence (particulary late-diagnosed ADHD and women's issues), trauma and grief. I also have experience with using EMDR and somatic/body-based coping strategies in addition to traditional talk-therapy, and I love implementing creative arts therapies when able. Most importantly, I try to meet each person where they are and understand them in the context of their family, relationships, and everyday life. I am currently accepting new clients on a telehealth-only platform.
First session
The first session is a psychosocial assessment in which background information is shared to see how it may be impacting current stressors. We will look at what a successful outcome of therapy might look like and discuss how you work best from a therapy and growth perspective. Additionally, we will begin to set goals and outcomes to develop your treatment plan moving forward.
Strengths
My clients tell me my therapy style is a mix of offering support and validation while challenging them when needed - with a sprinkle of humor when indicated. I have an eclectic approach and hold certifications in complex trauma, ADHD, the Gottman Method for Couples, somatic approaches and EMDR. Other approaches I integrate include CBT, DBT, mindfulness and process-oriented approaches. I most enjoy helping clients develop a toolbox of coping strategies tailored to each individual based on their personal interests and needs. Additionally, I am passionate about the body-mind connection and assisting individuals in understanding the impact mental health issues have on our bodies and incorporating techniques to improve overall health and wellness.
Ideal clients
My practice is dedicated to working with individual clients and couples, with a focus on navigating life transitions, mood disorders, neurodivergence, trauma and grief. My dream clients are individuals who want to better understand their relational patterns, explore how past experiences impact current connections, and build healthier ways of relating. My passion is helping people break old patterns and create the relationships they truly deserve.
Origin story
I have always drawn to the helping professions, volunteerism and community. My family liked to joke that I was always late walking home from school because I was always checking on my community! I began my career in creative arts therapies working with a variety of populations, but individual psychotherapy seemed to be calling my name, which prompted me to obtain my LCSW. I believe that every individual deserves a caring space to heal, and it is my privilege to provide that. My ultimate goals include assisting clients to better understand their challenges, resolve painful pasts and learn self-care strategies unique to their individual needs. Whether you are struggling with a mental health issue, past trauma or grief, or managing major (and not-so-major) life transitions, life can be hard! I will work with you to develop a trusting relationship and collaborate on what works best for you - at your pace - to better understand and assist in processing current of past issues with the goal to learn how to better manage life's challenges.
Ongoing work together
Once your goals and treatment plan are determined, we will continue to build rapport and develop a deeper understanding of your personality dynamics, barriers to reaching your current goals, and other dynamics (work, school, family) that impact your current struggles - while also providing psychoeducation on coping strategies for symptom relief. I believe much of what is learned in therapy happens outside of therapy - and will regularly follow up on progress with both adaptive and maladaptive coping between sessions, as well as re-visit treatment goals on a quarterly basis. Please feel free to always ask questions. Additionally, I am a firm believer in finding the right match in a therapist, and if a client desires a better fit I will assist in anyway possible to enable this.
Treatment methods
EMDR
I am a trained EMDR Therapist and utilize this approach to help clients accelerate the processing of traumatic events that currently impact their daily living. Additionally, I use EMDR for specialties other than trauma including anxiety, ADHD, addiction, phobias and depression.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have DBT training and apply principles of mindfulness, values, distress tolerance, emotional regulation and overall psychological flexibility in my sessions.
Somatic
I use somatic and mindfulness approaches which are body-centered mental health treatments that connect physical sensations in the body with emotional and psychological healing. Approaches include breathwork, guided imagery, vagus nerve stimulation and relaxation techniques.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured, goal-oriented form of therapy that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional regulation daily functioning.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS approaches view the human mind in family-systems to better understand the role family dynamics play into sense of self.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
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Licensed in
- VirginiaLicense 0904009437