Lawrence Matheny, LPC, LMFT

Lawrence Matheny is a Virginia-based counselor who combines extensive clinical experience with a long history of pastoral care to support individuals, couples, and families through life transitions and mental health challenges. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) - state licenses that qualify him to provide individual, couples, and family therapy - and he brings 34 years of professional experience to his practice. He has worked in psychiatric hospitals and community mental health and substance abuse settings, offering treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and a range of relationship and parenting concerns.

Matheny also draws on more than four decades of pastoral ministry, including 16 years as an ordained minister, and holds master-level degrees in Counseling and Pastoral Ministry. That combination of clinical training and faith-informed experience allows him to work respectfully with people from many backgrounds - including diverse faith perspectives, LGBTQIA clients, children, teens, adults, caregivers, and hospice families - while honoring each person as the expert of their own life. He emphasizes strengths and practical change, helping clients identify resources, set achievable goals, and move from where they are now toward where they want to be.

Whether addressing stress, family-of-origin issues, caregiver strain, mood disorders, or challenges related to aging and autism spectrum concerns, Matheny approaches therapy with empathy and collaboration. He invites prospective clients to explore their values and strengths together, including spiritual resources when those are important to the individual, and to take practical steps toward the changes they want to make.

Therapeutic Approaches and Accessible Online Care

Lawrence Matheny integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to meet a wide range of needs. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening with empathy and building a supportive therapeutic relationship so the individual can explore values, strengths, and personal goals - it is often helpful for relationship issues, self-esteem, and life transitions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them - it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and coping with stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Matheny works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. He tailors sessions to the individual, drawing on different techniques as progress unfolds and priorities shift.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing for flexible scheduling and access from home or other convenient locations. These formats make it easier for people balancing work, caregiving, or mobility concerns to receive ongoing support, maintain continuity of care, and use therapy in a way that suits their daily life.