Lawrence Goncalves Jr., LICSW

Lawrence Goncalves Jr. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, known professionally by the credential LICSW which stands for Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. He combines more than 25 years of experience with a commitment to helping people leave therapy feeling, thinking, and performing better than when they began.

His clinical career began after earning a B.A. in Juvenile Counseling from the University of Washington, and continued through a decade of front-line work at a community mental health clinic as a youth and family counselor. He later completed a Master of Social Work at the University of Washington and advanced into licensed clinical practice. Over the years he has worked across many settings, including services for juvenile offenders, domestic violence shelters, community centers, and youth group homes, gaining broad experience with young people, families, couples, groups, and community populations from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Safety and the therapeutic relationship are central to his approach, and he draws on a range of evidence-informed methods to address complex challenges. He has foundational training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Multisystemic Therapy, using combinations of these strategies to help clients manage, tolerate, and think differently about real-life problems. He welcomes the opportunity to serve as a therapist and to work collaboratively toward clients' goals.

Therapeutic Approaches That Work Well Online

Lawrence Goncalves Jr. regularly draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns - an approach often used for anxiety, depression, and habit-related concerns. He also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a skills-based model that focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for people managing intense emotions or impulsivity. Additionally, he is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a trauma-focused method used to process distressing memories and related symptoms.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lawrence works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. He discusses options openly and adapts strategies over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility in how care is delivered. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow clients to access therapy from different locations and fit sessions into busy schedules. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to select the communication style that feels most comfortable while working toward meaningful change.