Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg

Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 42 years of counseling experience. He describes a practical, strengths-based way of working that focuses on the changes each person wants to make. Larry aims to help people find and use their own resources to move forward.

He began his career counseling on the back ward of a state mental hospital. Those early years shaped his direct, no-nonsense approach to helping people solve problems. He favors straightforward conversation over long theories and focuses on what actually helps someone improve day to day.

Larry uses a range of tools in sessions, including trauma-focused work, client-centered methods, and cognitive behavioral ideas. He also brings methods drawn from hypnotherapy and existential thinking when they fit a person's needs. He explains approaches plainly and helps people decide what to try together.

He has worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and crisis settings. That variety gives him experience with many kinds of life challenges, from grief and relationship strain to addiction and career stress. He also has a long history of supporting LGBT people and those with atypical sexual lifestyles.

In sessions Larry emphasizes real skills and clear steps. He helps people recognize strengths, set achievable goals, and practice new ways of coping. His tone is practical and direct, geared toward people who want steady, results-oriented help.

How his approaches translate to online work

Lawrence often uses trauma-focused therapy and client-centered work, which both translate well to conversational online sessions. Trauma-focused work concentrates on processing and reducing the effects of past harm, using step-by-step interventions to help people feel more in control. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and helping people identify their own goals and solutions.

He also draws on cognitive behavioral therapy when thinking and behavior patterns are getting in the way. CBT uses practical exercises and small experiments to change unhelpful thoughts and habits, which can be done through discussion and homework between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. He will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and together they will decide which methods to try. That decision can change as therapy progresses, based on what works for the client.

Confirm the specific session formats before booking so you know how your sessions will take place. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Therapists can adapt exercises, homework, and conversation to fit your schedule and needs.