Lori Brinkley , LCSW

Lori Brinkley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 25 years of experience supporting people through trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. She brings a practical, strengths-based approach to work with a wide range of concerns - from postpartum adjustment and parenting challenges to issues faced by adoptees, adult children of alcoholics, and members of the "sandwich" generation caring for both children and aging parents.

She offers focused help for couples who feel disconnected, including a specialized option called "couples counseling for one" when one partner is not ready or willing to attend. That service concentrates on equipping the participating partner with tools for communication, healthy boundaries, and coping strategies designed to improve connection and reduce conflict. Her clinical style blends warmth and nurture with direct, evidence-based interventions; she values humor as a therapeutic tool while also challenging unhelpful patterns when needed.

Lori relies heavily on cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, strengths-based work, and practical problem solving as an advanced generalist clinician. Outside of clinical work she is a mom of two college-aged children who loves spending time outdoors - especially at the beach - and finds renewal in travel, waterfall hunting, suspense novels, and character-driven films. Personal experiences such as completing a Tough Mudder shape her belief in facing fears and growing through challenge. She helps clients explore new perspectives, foster understanding and validation, and work toward meaningful, individualized goals.

Evidence-based approaches for online care and progress

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is practical and skills-oriented, often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance skills to reduce reactivity and cultivate greater emotional balance - useful for stress management, anxiety, and improving focus. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, validation, and collaboration, creating a supportive environment where clients' own goals and values guide the work.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Lori works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to tailor methods to each person’s needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time to find what helps most.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexibility for busy schedules, allow continuity when travel or caregiving responsibilities arise, and make it easier to fit therapy into everyday life. These options support consistent progress by letting clients choose the format that best fits their routine and comfort level.