Dr. Lori Malkasian, LMFT
Practical, story-focused therapy for parents and adults
Details
| Name | Dr. Lori Malkasian |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMFT |
| Based in | South Carolina |
| Licensed in | South Carolina |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 20 |
About Lori
Dr. Lori Malkasian is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a Doctor of Psychology in counseling and 20 years of clinical experience. She focuses on clear, practical help when life feels overwhelming.
She speaks plainly and aims to make sessions straightforward and useful for busy parents and adults. She uses Narrative Therapy to help people tell and reframe their life stories. She also draws on Client-Centered and Cognitive Behavioral approaches to spot unhelpful thinking and build new habits.
Background and approach
Sessions are conversational and collaborative, not scripted; clients set priorities and pace. Dr. Malkasian works with adolescents and adults on common stresses like anxiety, depression, anger, and parenting challenges.
She also addresses addiction, grieving, relationship struggles, ADHD, and career or identity concerns. She pays attention to practical steps people can take between sessions. Many clients bring family of origin issues, blended family stress, adoption and foster care concerns, or communication problems.
She also supports people dealing with trauma and dissociation, compassion fatigue, or life changes after natural or human-caused disasters. Her approach balances listening with tools - mindfulness exercises, problem-solving, and mood-related strategies from CBT. She helps people move from feeling stuck to having small, manageable changes that add up over time.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Parenting issues, Depression among the things Lori works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Blended family issues
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Lori among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Lori 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 Lori directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and practical approaches translate online
Dr. Malkasian often blends Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working online. Narrative Therapy helps people step back and retell difficult parts of their story so those events feel less defining. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental conversation where the person's priorities guide the work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying different behaviors to change mood and reactions.Finding the best approach is a shared process. The therapist will listen to your goals and try methods that fit your needs and preferences. Together you can adjust the plan over time so the therapy stays relevant and practical for daily life.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and demonstrating exercises. Phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited or when clients prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging are handy for quick check-ins, brief coaching, or fitting therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep regular contact and try real-time strategies between sessions.
Common questions about this listing
What issues does she help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem, career issues, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and related topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and conversational. She combines narrative listening with client-centered care and practical CBT-based techniques to build new habits and perspectives.
What experience does she bring?
She has 20 years of clinical experience and a Doctor of Psychology in counseling, offering long-term practice helping adolescents and adults navigate common life challenges.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a South Carolina licensed marriage and family therapist, LMFT, and provides services connected to that licensure.
What languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are offered?
She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a therapy relationship?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Lori 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 Lori where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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