Lara Joynes-Whidden, LCSW

Florida | Online sessions in Florida | English | Explore online therapy options »

Compassionate, story-focused therapy for everyday struggles

Details

Name	Lara Joynes-Whidden
Credentials	LCSW
Based in	Florida
Licensed in	Florida
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	3

About Lara

Lara Joynes-Whidden is a licensed clinical social worker who brings a practical, person-focused style to therapy. She uses Narrative Therapy and other approaches to help people make sense of their struggles and move toward clearer goals. Lara keeps sessions direct and collaborative so clients know what to expect.

She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings and has experience with employee assistance programs. That background gives her a practical view of work-related stress, career concerns, and how those pressures affect relationships and daily life.

Background and approach

Lara helps people cope with mood concerns such as depression, bipolar symptoms, and anxiety. She also supports those navigating addiction, trauma and abuse, anger, and sleep problems. Parenting strain, blended family issues, and young adult transitions are also within her focus areas.

Her methods include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. She uses these approaches to look at patterns, rethink unhelpful stories, and set small, manageable goals. Lara works with clients on financial stress, workplace problems, process addictions, and complications related to HIV/AIDS or intellectual disability.

She aims to build a trusting working relationship and to help people find practical steps forward.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Addictions, Family conflicts, Anger management among the things Lara works with, alongside the areas below.

Addictions
Family conflicts
Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Coping with life changes
Coaching
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Blended family issues
Drug and alcohol addiction
Family problems
HIV / AIDS
Intellectual disability
Money and financial issues
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Self-harm
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Lara among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Lara among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Lara among the ways she works.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Listed by Lara among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Lara among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Lara 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 Lara directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How narrative and practical approaches work online

Online sessions can be a strong way to use Narrative Therapy and other practical methods. Narrative Therapy helps people separate themselves from the problems they face by looking at life stories and identifying helpful alternate narratives. It can be useful for issues like relationship strain, self-esteem problems, and coping with life changes.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a respectful, accepting working relationship. That approach supports people who need a steady, nonjudgmental space to talk about stress, grief, or workplace pressure. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, gives concrete tools to change unhelpful thinking and behavior, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and some addiction-related patterns.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That often means trying techniques, checking how they land, and adjusting the plan together.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is good for deeper conversations and nonverbal cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging work well for short check-ins, brief coaching, or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to keep momentum between sessions.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns can I bring to therapy?

Lara works with a wide range of issues including addiction, depression, bipolar concerns, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, sleep problems, parenting strain, relationship stress, and work-related difficulties.

How would you describe Lara's therapeutic style?

She uses a collaborative, narrative-oriented approach combined with client-centered listening and practical techniques from CBT and motivational interviewing to set clear, achievable goals.

What experience does she have?

She has three years of professional experience working in outpatient and inpatient settings and in employee assistance programs, which informs her work with workplace and career issues.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, licensed in Florida.

Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?

Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Lara?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Lara 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 Lara where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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