Lisa McCarton, LCSW
Compassionate, practical therapy for everyday challenges
Details
| Name | Lisa McCarton |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | Virginia |
| Licensed in | Virginia |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English, Spanish |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Lisa
Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with two decades of practice in Virginia. She focuses on helping people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, mood shifts, grief, and major life changes. Lisa speaks English and Spanish and aims to make the first steps toward help straightforward and understandable.
Her work grew from early clinical roles after earning a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000.
Background and approach
She spent her first years providing therapy and case management in a residential setting for children who had experienced abuse. That experience shaped a hands-on, practical style of care. Lisa uses several approaches to meet real problems.
She draws on Narrative Therapy to help people reframe the stories they tell about themselves. She also uses Attachment-Based and Client-Centered ideas to build trust and focus on each person's experience. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of her toolkit for changing unhelpful thinking and behavior.
Sessions tend to be goal-focused and practical. Lisa helps people identify small, manageable steps toward clearer thinking and better coping. She emphasizes collaboration and keeps language plain so concerns feel less overwhelming.
People who choose her work with someone who values steady, direct support. Lisa aims to listen first, map out goals together, and try methods that fit each person’s life and rhythm.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse among the things Lisa works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- ADHD
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family problems
- Impulsivity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-harm
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Existential Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Lisa among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Lisa directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Lisa directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How Narrative and Attachment Ideas Fit Online Care
Lisa uses Narrative Therapy to help people examine and reshape the stories they live by, which can reduce shame and open up new choices. That approach is useful for concerns like trauma, identity struggles, and feeling stuck in old patterns.She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relationships affect current connections and stress responses. This can help when anxiety, relationship strain, or attachment issues get in the way of everyday life. Client-Centered Therapy guides her stance in sessions - listening closely, following each person's pace, and adapting the work to what matters most to the client.
Picking the right approach is a shared process. She will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they try methods that fit the client's needs and revise the plan over time based on what feels useful.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit quick updates, brief processing, or when typing helps someone reflect. These options make scheduling easier and let people choose the format that best fits their daily life.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of problems does Lisa help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, bipolar concerns, trauma and abuse, anger, ADHD, relationship and parenting strains, and career or life-change challenges.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is goal-focused and client-centered with a practical emphasis. Sessions often blend talking through issues with concrete coping skills and problem-solving.
How much experience does she bring?
She has 20 years of clinical experience, including early work in residential treatment and long-term psychotherapy practice in Virginia.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, listed as VA LCSW, and practices in Virginia.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
What session formats are available?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online therapy.
How are costs handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Lisa are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Lisa where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
Or see other therapists in Virginia »
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
Other listings in Virginia
- Lemuel Williams, LPC - Virginia
- Joseph (Joe) Gasperini, LCMHC, LPC - Virginia
- Epiphany Sutton, LPC - Virginia
- Tara Lineberry, LICSW, LCSW - Virginia
- All therapists for stress, anxiety »