Lawrence Matheny , LPC, LMFT

Lawrence Matheny is a licensed counselor in Virginia who brings more than three decades of experience to his practice. He holds the credentials LPC and LMFT - Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist - which reflect training in individual counseling as well as work with couples and families. He also earned master’s degrees in Counseling and in Pastoral Ministry, and his background in pastoral work spans over 40 years with 16 years as an ordained minister.

Throughout a long career in psychiatric hospitals and community-based mental health and substance abuse settings, Lawrence has worked with people facing serious and persistent mental illness, depression, anxiety, substance use and addiction, trauma, grief and loss, and relationship or parenting challenges. He has provided counseling to individuals, couples, and families across a wide range of backgrounds, including clients of diverse faiths and of no faith, members of LGBTQIA communities, children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents, and people in hospice and their families.

Lawrence views each person as the expert on their own life and draws on clients’ strengths to support meaningful change. When faith traditions matter to a client, he is comfortable exploring spiritual resources as part of therapy. His approach focuses on practical steps that help people move from where they are now toward the goals they want to reach, with an emphasis on building resilience and improving day-to-day functioning.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Lawrence integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to address a wide range of concerns. Client-centered therapy emphasizes listening and building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship so clients can explore their values, strengths, and goals; this approach is useful for relationship issues, self-esteem work, and life transitions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and developing practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders by changing thinking and behavior.

He approaches therapy as a collaborative process, working with each person to determine which methods fit best with their needs, goals, and preferences. Lawrence helps clients weigh options, try approaches in session, and adjust the plan over time so therapy aligns with what is most helpful for the individual or family.

Online sessions offer flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone appointments, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule care around work, family, or mobility challenges and allow licensed professionals to provide consistent support even when in-person visits are not practical. For many people, remote sessions make it simpler to maintain momentum and apply therapeutic skills in everyday life.