Loretta Collins (Begg), MD, LCPC

Loretta Collins (Begg) transitioned into mental health counseling after a 25-year career in sales, bringing a practical, outcome-focused perspective to her clinical work. She completed a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and combines a cognitive-behavioral framework with a client-centered approach, treating therapy as a collaborative partnership rather than a one-sided process. Her training and experience have prepared her to work with people facing substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions, including post-traumatic stress, major depressive disorder, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and anxiety.

She holds the credentials MD and LCPC - with MD indicating a medical degree and LCPC standing for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - and practices in Maryland (license MD LCPC LC12064). Many clients are drawn to her work because she speaks directly to the stigma surrounding psychological health and advocates for treating brain-related conditions with the same seriousness as physical health concerns. Her clinical focus includes stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, anger, career-related stress, compassion fatigue, and ADHD, along with related challenges such as body image, caregiver stress, codependency, and impulsivity. Loretta frames therapeutic goals around each person’s unique strengths and circumstances, aiming to reduce stigma and promote practical tools for daily life.

Client-Centered and CBT Approaches for Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the person’s own perspective and strengths, creating a supportive space where the therapist follows the client's lead and helps them explore values, goals, and personal resources. This approach can be especially helpful for issues tied to self-worth, caregiver stress, and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to change them. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and patterns linked to substance use and impulsivity.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Loretta works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques from client-centered work and CBT to create a tailored plan rather than applying a single method to every situation.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how people connect - via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and access care from home. These options support consistent engagement, allow for varied communication styles, and help clients maintain continuity of care even when in-person visits are not possible.