Dr. Lori Dougherty , LMFT

Dr. Lori Dougherty is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Colorado with 10 years of clinical experience. She has worked with individuals, couples, and families facing a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, substance use, depression, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy challenges, parenting struggles, and issues of self-esteem.

Her work centers on building a strong therapeutic relationship as the foundation for growth and recovery. Dr. Dougherty approaches therapy from the belief that people have the capacity to heal and develop new skills, and she partners with clients to uncover practical tools and strategies that fit their lives. She adapts interventions to each person or family's goals and preferences, drawing on client-centered principles along with cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavior, mindfulness, and EMDR-informed techniques.

In sessions she balances listening and empathy with active coaching to help clients identify strengths, experiment with new approaches, and resolve patterns that limit functioning. Her clinical focus includes addiction and substance use concerns as well as relational and developmental issues such as blended-family dynamics, codependency, communication problems, and life transitions. Dr. Dougherty aims to provide clear, compassionate care that supports sustained personal and relational change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Lori Dougherty integrates several evidence-based approaches to tailor care to each person's needs. Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration so clients feel heard and can explore their goals in a supportive environment - this approach is useful for relationship concerns, self-esteem, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it effective for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for intense emotions, impulsivity, and relationship patterns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Dr. Lori Dougherty works with clients to assess needs, try different techniques, and adjust the plan as goals evolve so the therapy fits the client rather than expecting the client to fit the method.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options allow clients to access licensed professionals from their own settings, accommodate busy schedules, and maintain continuity of care across life changes, making it easier to engage in consistent therapeutic work.