Beth Avery , LCSW

Beth Avery is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Connecticut with 24 years of experience in clinical and administrative roles. She has served as a Director of Social Work in skilled nursing facilities, worked in doctors’ offices and with Visiting Nurses, and maintained a private practice - a combination that has deepened her understanding of how physical health and mental health interact.

She uses a systems theory perspective, viewing a diagnosis or problem as connected to multiple systems that shape behavior. In collaboration with clients she observes and analyzes those systems and works to strengthen the supports around an individual. With a client’s permission she also consults with physicians to better understand how medications and physical conditions may influence emotional well-being.

Beth frames the therapeutic relationship as one of equality, where ideas and suggestions are shared in a give and take. She often offers reading material and may request simple observations between sessions to support growth outside scheduled meetings. Her practice emphasizes the whole picture of a person’s life and health, aiming to help people find practical paths toward greater functioning and resilience.

Her areas of expertise include geriatric social work and chronic illness care - including MS, Parkinsons, ALS, and RA - caregiver support, aging-related mental health concerns, Medicare and Medicaid guidance, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, geriatric assessments, advocacy in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), finding appropriate levels of care, end-of-life and hospice transitions, anticipatory grief, and coping with a cancer diagnosis.

Therapeutic approaches for online care and support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take practical steps toward a more meaningful life. It combines mindfulness and action-oriented strategies to address stress, anxiety, depression, and challenges related to life transitions.

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns in relationships that affect emotional security and connection. It can be useful for people dealing with intimacy-related issues, family or attachment concerns, and relationship difficulties.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, collaborative relationship where the therapist creates a supportive environment and follows the client's pace and priorities. This approach is helpful for building self-esteem, coping skills, and personal insight.

Finding the right blend of these approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Beth works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for scheduling, reduce travel time, and make it easier to maintain continuity of care. These options support access to licensed professionals and allow the therapeutic work to fit more naturally into everyday life.