LMHC, 8 years of experience
You lost something important to you and your world has never been the same. Maybe you know exactly what happened. Maybe it happened so long ago, you can't remember the details. Either way, you're haunted by the ghost of a better life. It always seems to be just out of reach. Something needs to change, you can feel it in your bones. But every time you start to move in the right direction, things fall apart. Sometimes you wonder if you're doomed to feel this miserable and broken for the rest of your life. I've been helping people rescue themselves from trauma, addiction, grief, despair and fear since 2015. Helping them break the cycles of frustration and codependency. Find a way to get out of their own way and find their joy again. LASTING POSITIVE LIFE CHANGE is possible. Even for people who think they are "too broken." If you're age 18+ and ready for a new perspective: buckle up, my friend! I can't wait to be a part of your comeback story!
We get to know each other and what's going on with you, and then consider options and priorities for treatment. (Including whether I'm the right person to help you.)
I have spent years honing my ability to boil down highly technical and complex science into understandable and useful action plans. I am very good at helping people find and change hidden patterns that undermine many different parts of their life. I know how to listen compassionately, and how to help people learn to feel real emotions. I shine a light on the path from grief and trauma, so that hurting people can travel safely on their way to ever greater gratitude, authenticity, responsibility, forgiveness, and freedom.
PTSD, Prolonged Grief, "High Functioning" Autistic Spectrum, Veterans, In Recovery from Addictions
I tailor the most effective tools from many different treatment styles to fit the person I'm working with. I tend to draw most on principles of: mindfulness, emotional skillbuilding, and thought reframing (DBT, CBT Unified Protocol, ACT, Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention); identifying and desensitizing traumatic reactions (EMDR), raising awareness of Ego States (Internal Family Systems); exploring meaning & values (Narrative, Existential, & Reality Therapies); and getting the mind and the body back on the same team (Polyvagal therapies, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, Healthy Mind Platter).
3 ratings with written reviews
April 27, 2025
I started seeing Lon after multiple trials with other therapists. I knew almost immediately that he was the right fit that I had been looking for. Lon is empathetic, funny, and very smart. More importantly, I can rely on the fact that in our sessions he is 110% focused on me and actively listening to what I have to say so he can make the best decisions possible in my care. I trust him and that is no easy task with complex trauma. I just know without a doubt that he has my best interest in mind.
April 24, 2025
I was immediately impressed with Dr. Prater's detail-oriented onboarding. He asked great questions that allowed me to consider my therapy goals and share my history with him without feeling overwhelmed. He took the time to really understand my responses, goals, strengths, and challenges. Dr. Prater is extremely knowledgeable and perceptive. I think anyone who feels intimidated by getting started with therapy would feel very comfortable with Dr. Prater as he's very authentic & comforting.
March 30, 2025
I've only had one session so far, BUT I got more out of that first session than I have with any of the therapy appointments I had with the previous 3 therapists I've tried. I stayed consistent with 2 different therapists in the past and never felt as comfortable with them as I did with Lonnie in just one session. He's great & I can't wait for my next session & to see the growth I'm going to see in myself!