L M (Loretta) Hartley-Bangs , LISW-CP

L M (Loretta) Hartley-Bangs is a licensed therapist practicing in South Carolina who brings 36 years of experience to work with individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. She focuses on supporting people across the lifespan, including young adults, caregivers, women, and older adults navigating life transitions. Her approach combines deep empathy with practical clinical skills to help clients address mood disorders, substance use concerns, family dynamics, and the long-term effects of trauma.

Hartley-Bangs emphasizes understanding each person as an individual, guiding clients through communication challenges, codependency, and patterns that contribute to ongoing stress. She draws on evidence-informed methods to support personal growth and resilience while helping clients develop coping strategies for life changes such as caregiving responsibilities or aging-related issues. The credential LISW-CP indicates Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice, and her South Carolina license is SC LISW-CP 9647.

Throughout her practice, she aims to create a respectful, non-judgmental environment where people can explore family of origin issues, addiction recovery, and questions of life purpose. Hartley-Bangs works collaboratively with each person to identify goals, build skills, and move toward meaningful change at a pace that fits their needs.

Therapeutic approaches for online care

L M (Loretta) Hartley-Bangs uses client-centered therapy to place the person at the center of the work, creating space for clients to express their priorities and steer the pace of change; this approach is helpful for those seeking support with life transitions, caregiving stress, or questions of purpose. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, offering practical tools for anxiety, depression, and mood regulation. Additionally, Dialectical Behavior Therapy - DBT - provides skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be useful for managing intense emotions, relationship conflicts, and patterns of self-destructive behavior.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Hartley-Bangs works collaboratively with clients to select methods that fit their goals, preferences, and circumstances. She tailors interventions over time so therapy remains relevant and responsive to each person's needs.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care during busy seasons of life, for those balancing caregiving or work, and for people who prefer remote access to licensed professionals and therapists.