Richard Strand, LCSW

Richard Strand, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), is a New York based therapist with 25 years of experience helping people navigate change, reduce distress, and pursue personal growth. He draws on a broad lens that considers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors to understand how life stages, environment, and past experiences shape current challenges. His work centers on supporting clients to identify realistic goals and build practical strategies for greater satisfaction and calm.

Richard uses a client-centered framework that values each person’s perspective, and he integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and motivational interviewing when they fit the situation. He regularly conducts a bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment to map the areas where a client may need support and to tailor interventions that match their needs. Much of his practice focuses on trauma, anxiety, life transitions, and addictions, while also addressing related concerns such as stress, relationships, parenting, grief, and career issues.

Aware of how technology has changed communication, he offers therapy and coaching via online methods so that people can access support in ways that suit their lives. His goal is to build a collaborative therapeutic relationship founded on careful listening, practical tools, and a clear focus on the client’s priorities.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Richard Strand commonly integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing into his online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding the person’s experience and creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where goals emerge from the client. This approach is well suited to people seeking empathic listening and collaborative goal setting.

CBT is a skills-oriented method that helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and replace them with more adaptive patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns because it provides concrete strategies for symptom management and coping.

Motivational interviewing is a conversational style that helps people explore and strengthen their own motivation for change. It can be especially helpful for addictions, ambivalence about life changes, and early stages of behavior change.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Richard collaborates with each client to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and he adjusts techniques to fit the individual. Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility in scheduling and format, making it easier to access consistent care from licensed professionals while balancing work, family, and other commitments.