Lisa McCarton

Practical, collaborative therapy for life challenges

LCSW Virginia

Experience: 20 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English, Spanish

About Lisa

Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 20 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, mood disorders such as depression and bipolar, relationship and family challenges, parenting concerns, ADHD, grief, and career-related issues.

Background and approach

Lisa also addresses a range of related concerns including attachment issues, adoption and foster care dynamics, eating and food-related problems, impulsivity, and communication or control difficulties. Her clinical style emphasizes practical, goal-focused work grounded in client-centered principles.

Lisa draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and she integrates attachment-based ideas to explore relational patterns that influence emotional wellbeing. Over two decades she has worked in settings that include residential treatment and community-based services, bringing both clinical skills and case-management experience to therapy.

Sessions aim to be collaborative and solution-oriented, with attention to building trusting therapeutic connections before tackling change. Lisa offers services in English and Spanish and works with individuals navigating difficult life transitions, coping skills development, and recovery from traumatic or painful experiences.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Lisa uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, a practical approach often applied to anxiety, mood concerns, stress, and coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy is also part of her work, focusing on relational patterns and how early or current relationships influence emotions and interpersonal difficulties.

Finding the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will explore a person's goals, preferences, and presenting concerns together and suggest techniques or frameworks that match those needs, adjusting the plan as progress and feedback guide the work.

Online therapy with Lisa is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats make it easier to access consistent care across day-to-day demands and can support stepping into therapy while balancing family, work, or other commitments.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Lisa treat?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression and bipolar mood concerns, relationship and family problems, parenting issues, ADHD, grief, self-esteem, career challenges, and coping with life changes.

What is Lisa's therapeutic approach like?

Her style is client-centered and goal oriented, using practical methods to address problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and attachment-informed work are combined with collaborative problem solving to help clients change unhelpful thoughts and patterns.

How much experience does she have?

Lisa has 20 years of clinical experience, including work in residential treatment and community settings that involved therapy and case management for children and families.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Virginia with license number VA LCSW 0904005382 and practices in Virginia.

Can I see her if I speak Spanish?

Yes, she provides services in both English and Spanish, but is not accepting international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available?

Sessions may be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.

How are sessions billed and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseAnger managementADHD

Also works with

Relationship issuesGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesFamily problemsImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobias Post-traumatic stress Self-harm Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Existential TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

Virginia

Languages

English, Spanish