Richard Strand

Richard Strand is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 25 years of experience helping people manage stress, anger, addiction, anxiety, and life changes. He meets each person where they are and focuses on practical steps to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Richard speaks English and Spanish and practices from New York while also accepting international clients.

He uses a client-centered stance that starts by listening closely to what matters most to the person in front of him. That listening is paired with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and with motivational interviewing when someone needs help finding the push to change. He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma when these methods are a good fit.

Richard begins with a broad bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment. This looks at life history, current stresses, relationships, and how past events play into present patterns. From there he helps people set realistic goals and builds straightforward plans to reach them. Sessions often mix talk, skill practice, and goal-focused steps.

His main areas of focus include trauma and abuse, addictions, parenting strain, grief, coping with life transitions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. He also addresses relationship-related problems such as communication, commitment, and codependency, plus issues like abandonment and forgiveness.

People who choose him can expect a collaborative, down-to-earth process aimed at clear changes in how they feel and act. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

How therapy methods translate to online care

Richard commonly blends client-centered work with cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. Client-centered work means the therapist listens closely and follows the person's priorities to shape sessions and goals. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and practicing new skills to change them, which helps with anxiety, anger, depression, and stress. Motivational interviewing is a short-term method that helps people clarify what they want to change and build their own reasons to take steps forward.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods make sense for their situation and goals. That may mean starting with listening and assessment, then layering in skill work or trauma-focused techniques as needed.

The biography notes that he has embraced online therapy as a way to provide counseling, coaching, and support. Confirm the specific session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or remove the need to travel to an office. Licensed professionals can use the same therapeutic techniques online as in person, adapting exercises and homework to the digital setting.