Lori Centineo, LCSW

Lori Centineo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years of clinical experience who brings a background in elementary education to her therapeutic work. She earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University at Albany and holds the LCSW credential, which means she is trained and licensed to provide clinical social work services to individuals, couples, and families.

Before becoming a social worker, she taught in elementary school, and that foundation informs her practical, patient style. Over the course of her career she has worked in outpatient settings with adults, children, families, and couples to address concerns such as depression, anxiety, grief, trauma and abuse, anger, relationship and family dynamics, parenting challenges, addiction, bipolar disorder, ADHD, self-esteem, and coping with life changes. She also works with issues related to intimacy, jealousy, compassion fatigue, and intellectual disability.

Her approach is warm, empathetic, and collaborative, inviting clients to guide the work while she offers structured tools and supports. She draws on evidence-informed methods including cognitive behavioral and mindfulness-based techniques within a client-centered framework, tailoring interventions to each person or family's needs. Lori emphasizes a team-oriented therapeutic relationship that values the client as the expert on their own life and adapts treatment to match individual goals and strengths.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Client-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration, supporting clients as they set the pace and priorities for change; it is often helpful for strengthening self-esteem, navigating life transitions, and improving relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical skills and exercises, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many daily coping challenges. Mindfulness therapy teaches present-moment awareness and stress-reduction practices that can help with anxiety, trauma responses, and managing strong emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lori works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences, and she adjusts techniques over time as progress and circumstances evolve.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - so clients can access care from home, work, or while traveling. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for each client.