Lara Ashbaugh , LPC

Lara Ashbaugh is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Missouri with 10 years of experience as a therapist, supervisor, and teacher. She has supported people facing a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, parenting and relationship challenges, career stress, OCD, ADHD, trauma and abuse, and issues related to addiction and bipolar disorder.

One of her clinical strengths is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which she uses to help clients build emotion regulation, coping skills, and healthier relationships. Her approach also integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and she draws from positive psychology to identify and amplify existing strengths. Lara emphasizes a warm, interactive counseling style grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she avoids stigmatizing labels.

She tailors conversations and treatment plans to each person's unique needs and priorities, working collaboratively to set goals and choose strategies that fit the individual. Lara focuses on practical skills and values-based work while attending to the personal strengths that clients bring to the process. She is committed to supporting and empowering individuals who are ready to pursue meaningful change and greater well-being.

How Lara's Therapeutic Approaches Translate to Online Care

Lara Ashbaugh draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients develop practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and strengthening coping strategies. DBT is particularly useful for people working on emotion regulation and relationship patterns.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT can be effective for addressing symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and many everyday challenges by focusing on concrete strategies and skill practice.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another approach in her repertoire, emphasizing values-guided action and acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings so clients can move toward meaningful goals. ACT is well suited for those navigating life transitions, chronic stress, or uncertainty.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and Lara works collaboratively with each person to tailor methods to their needs, goals, and preferences. In online sessions, licensed professionals can deliver these approaches through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for scheduling and formats. This variety of options makes it easier for people to engage in ongoing work in ways that fit their daily lives and learning styles.