Lisa McCarton, LCSW - Therapist in Virginia

About Lisa

Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Virginia with 20 years of experience. She works with parents and family concerns and helps people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, mood disorders, and parenting challenges. She speaks English and Spanish and aims to be practical and straightforward in sessions.

She trained at Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Master of Social Work in 2000. Early in her career she provided therapy and case management at a residential treatment facility for children who had experienced emotional and physical abuse.

Background and approach

That work shaped her focus on family dynamics and safety. In the therapy room she emphasizes clear goals and a client-centered approach. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors.

She combines that with attachment-informed ideas to pay attention to relationships and how they affect emotions and coping. Sessions tend to be practical and hands-on. Lisa helps parents and families break problems into step-by-step actions.

She also supports people dealing with trauma, anger, ADHD, bipolar symptoms, and complicated life changes by using tools to manage feelings and improve communication. Her work is grounded in two decades of direct practice with families, children, and adults. She focuses on building a trusting relationship, setting realistic goals, and teaching skills people can use at home.

Parents who want clear suggestions and steady guidance may find her style helpful.

How her approaches translate to online family support

Lisa often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying small behavior changes to reduce stress and improve day-to-day routines. CBT can help with anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and behavior patterns that affect family life.

She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy ideas to look at how relationships shape feelings and behavior. This approach helps parents and family members understand patterns that affect trust, communication, and emotional responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person or family to choose methods that fit goals and preferences. Together they set clear, realistic goals and adjust tools as progress is made.

Online sessions offer flexibility for busy families. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations, phone sessions let people connect without video, and live chat or text-based messaging can support brief check-ins or ongoing coaching between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into school, work, and caregiving schedules while keeping the focus on practical steps and improved family communication.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, parenting struggles, family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, mood disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and related concerns listed in her profile.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is goal oriented and client centered. She uses practical, hands-on techniques to help people try new ways of thinking and behaving.

How much experience does she have?

She has 20 years of clinical practice, including early work in a residential treatment facility serving children who experienced abuse.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, listed as VA LCSW 0904005382, and practices in Virginia.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as formats for online work.

How are costs handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are involved in getting started?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 20 years
Licensed: Virginia
Languages: English, Spanish

Next step

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