About Lara
Lara Joynes-Whidden is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a collaborative, down-to-earth approach. She focuses on helping people navigate addictions, mood changes, stress, and relationship concerns. Lara keeps sessions straightforward and practical so parents and busy adults can make progress without extra jargon.
In her work she draws on client-centered therapy to prioritize each person's goals. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and create small behavior changes.
How Lara works
Motivational interviewing is part of her approach when people are weighing choices about substance use or other habits. Lara has three years of clinical experience in both outpatient and inpatient settings. She has also provided services in employee assistance programs, which gives her insight into workplace stress and career-related struggles.
This background informs how she supports people facing work conflicts or burnout. Sessions are aimed at clear problem solving and real steps. She helps people rebuild sleep routines, manage anger, and cope with life transitions.
Lara also supports those dealing with trauma, self-esteem issues, ADHD, and parenting strain. Her practice includes work with blended family concerns, process and substance addictions, HIV and AIDS related issues, intellectual disability considerations, and young adult challenges. Lara works in Florida and conducts sessions in English.
Lara lists 6 ways of working on the entry:
What Lara works with
The areas below are the ones Lara selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Anger management
Also listed
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Family problems
- HIV / AIDS
- Intellectual disability
- LGBT
- Money and financial issues
- Parenting issues
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Sleeping disorders
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | LCSW |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 3 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Florida |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How therapeutic approaches fit into online care
Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the person's priorities. The therapist creates space for people to set their own goals and steers sessions toward what matters most to them.Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at how thoughts affect actions and mood. In short, it helps identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practices small behavior changes for anxiety, depression, sleep, and stress-related problems.
Motivational interviewing helps when someone is unsure about change. It uses guided conversation to clarify values and build the motivation needed to cut back on substance use or shift harmful habits.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist discusses options and tailors sessions to the client's needs, goals, and preferences so treatment stays practical and relevant.
Online sessions offer flexibility across formats - video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations and visual cues. Phone calls can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can work well for brief check-ins, coaching-style support, or ongoing encouragement between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy days and different routines.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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