Lawrence Goncalves Jr.

Lawrence Goncalves Jr. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years of practice. He aims to help people feel, think, and function better than when they first came to therapy. Lawrence presents a calm, direct style and focuses on building a trusting relationship first. He works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, grief, parenting challenges, and anger.

Lawrence began his work after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Juvenile Counseling from the University of Washington and later completed a Master of Social Work at the same school. His early roles included youth and family counseling in community mental health, work with juvenile offenders, domestic violence shelters, community centers, and group homes. Over time he expanded to provide individual and group therapy to people of many ages and backgrounds.

In sessions he draws from several practical approaches. He uses client-centered methods to create a supportive space and cognitive behavioral techniques to address thoughts and behaviors. He also incorporates dialectical skills and eye movement approaches when those methods fit a persons needs.

Lawrence emphasizes clear, usable strategies that clients can apply between sessions. He pays close attention to safety and to the therapeutic relationship as the foundation of progress. He often helps people develop coping skills for impulsivity, sleep problems, mood swings, and difficult family dynamics.

People who choose him can expect straightforward talk, structured skill-building, and a focus on real-life results. He invites prospective clients to consider what they want to change and to bring those goals to the first visit.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and responding with empathy so people feel heard and understood. Online sessions using this approach allow the therapist and client to build that working relationship through steady, collaborative conversation.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change them. This method often uses structured exercises and homework that translate well to online work, helping with anxiety, depression, anger, and sleep issues.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. In virtual visits the therapist can teach these skills, practice them together, and suggest ways to apply them between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That decision is collaborative and can change over time as needs evolve.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm available options before booking. Many people find online therapy makes it easier to fit visits into busy lives by avoiding travel, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and letting work or family breaks be used for appointments. Ask about the current session options when you schedule to make sure they match your routine.