Lori Zaspel

(she/they)

LCSW, 8 years of experience
Authentic
Warm
Open-minded

I companion individuals through the complex terrain of grief, identity shifts, chronic illness, and life transitions. Whether you’re navigating the emotional weight of caregiving, the disorientation of loss, or the quiet ache of change, you don’t have to do it alone. Sessions with me are collaborative, flexible, and grounded in warmth, realism, and respect for your inner wisdom and self-knowledge. I blend bottom-up work (EMDR, somatics) with practical, evidence-informed tools and a non-judgmental, curious stance. I try to bring humility and understanding to identity, systemic injustice, and community impacts on our capacity to grieve and heal. My practice is rooted in anti-racist, anti-capitalist, and abolitionist values. Clients describe our work as steadying, practical, and humane—equal parts grounding skills, emotional processing, and room for humor and creativity. Together we’ll make room for grief’s many shapes, honor your strengths, and build practical capacity for what comes next.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Note about scheduling: I require a free 15–20 minute phone consult before a full 50‑minute intake so we can confirm availability and ensure a good clinical fit. The current scheduling system books an intake right away; if you schedule with me, I will email beforehand to arrange that short consult so you don’t pay for a session until we’ve had a chance to connect. There's no sense in having an intake session if we can't find a time where our schedules align! During our first session, the goal is to explore the vibes even further and see if we're a match. I'll take the opportunity to understand you better, while also sharing pertinent information about myself to facilitate a safe container where you can trust how I will show up for you. I am happy to bring questions and will be honored to receive your answers. I am generally straightforward, relaxed, and looking for connection points to determine how I can support you in the work and growth you want to do. Our first session will build on the foundation laid in the consultation to deepen our rapport and begin the deeper, transformative work together... at whatever speed works best for you.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I am committed to approaching therapy through a liberatory lens—including but not limited to anti-racism and anti-capitalist perspectives, with an emphasis on integrating social justice principles into both my professional practice and personal life. My values and ethical standards are paramount to me. I strive to maintain an attitude of curiosity, humility, and non-judgment, although I don't adopt a passive stance. I engage authentically during sessions, fostering a space where genuine human connection can thrive. I bring myself to session so that we can be human together.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I love working with queers, punks, leftists, kinky and polyamorous folks, and weirdos (whether or not you look it on the outside) who are craving non-judgment, connection, understanding, and clarity. Together we can navigate grief and offer support and strategies to process and integrate your experience. Not to move on, but to move with. Loss is interwoven into many of life’s challenging experiences, not only in death, but break-ups, job transitions, growth in our gender and identity, family estrangement, and more. They’re all open for discussion in our time together.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Health/Medical Issues

Trauma and PTSD

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

EMDR

Unlike other treatments that focus on changing emotions, thoughts, and responses related to traumatic experiences, EMDR focuses on the memory and is intended to change the way the memory is stored in the brain, possibly reducing and eliminating the symptoms. I am an intermediate EMDR practitioner, having completed EMDRIA-HAP's first two levels of training.

Narrative

Narrative therapy helps individuals to rediscover their voice and feel more embodied as experts in their own lives, as well as to live in a way that reflects their goals and values. I also find that a narrative approach can improve relationships by encouraging you to examine the stories they tell yourself about your relationships. Together we can identify patterns and beliefs that may be contributing to relationship difficulties and develop new narratives that promote healthy communication, mutual respect, and understanding.

Somatic

The goal of somatic therapy is to help individuals create an awareness of their bodily sensations and then learn how to feel safe in the body so that they can explore their emotions, memories, and thoughts. I focus on 'bottom up' therapies and engaging the body for deeper healing and to access release stress, trauma, and tension that has become stored in the body. I have completed Somatic Experiencing Beginner I training and Life Architect's three-month Integrating Somatic Techniques in Therapy.

Relational

Relational therapy provides an opportunity to explore patterns, craft deeper and more vulnerable relationships, and find empowerment and healing. We will explore boundaries, compromise, and healthy balance in relationships. I believe diverse and deep relationships are a foundation for a fulfilling life and overall well-being; this modality can help promote stability and security in an individual’s life.

Eclectic

My goal is to prioritize the needs, interests, and priorities of my clients to wield evidence-based practices in a warm, gently-boundaried, and collaborative manner. I am more dedicated to you, the client, than I am to utilizing any particular theory. I also recognize how theory and evidence reflect relatively small segments of our society—and probably don't reflect the totality of YOU, a whole human, and your expertise.

, 28 ratings

1 rating with written reviews

October 16, 2025

Lori and I have been working together for a while now (3 years or so) and I always look forward to our sessions. No matter what I am dealing with (stage IV cancer) she always helps shift my perspective with valuable input, which lets me handle the challenging parts of my life more effectively.

Verified client, age 45-54
Review shared after session 28 with Lori