Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg, LCSW

Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 42 years of professional experience helping people navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, addiction, ADHD, and major life changes. He practices from a strengths- and solutions-oriented perspective, guiding clients to identify and use their existing resources to make practical, meaningful changes in the directions they choose.

Early in his career he worked on a back ward of a state mental hospital, supporting people with severe mental illness and learning to focus on what actually helped each person improve day to day. That experience informed a pragmatic approach that values real-world skills over academic posturing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has developed extensive training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Ericksonian hypnosis, and related approaches. He is a published author in the areas of belief change, Ericksonian hypnosis, and NLP.

Westenberg has treated clients across inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and crisis-intervention settings and has worked with LGBTQ+ individuals for decades. He offers help with issues such as trauma and abuse, panic and anxiety, ADD, grief, intimacy and relationship concerns, caregiving stress, and finding life purpose. He does not accept insurance - he prefers to avoid diagnostic labeling and the administrative demands that can shift focus away from client goals. He emphasizes collaboration, respect for individual values and lifestyles, and practical strategies that build on each person’s strengths.