Laurie Stricker , LMSW

Laurie Stricker completed her Master of Social Work in April 1998 while working full time, and early volunteer work at a domestic violence shelter shaped her interest in practical methods to support at-risk families. Her first position after earning the degree involved work in the foster care system, where she developed a deeper understanding of child welfare, family dynamics, and the legal processes that affect vulnerable children and families.

Returning to her hometown in northeast Michigan, Laurie served as an infant mental health specialist, refining skills in trauma-informed care, family therapy, and providing support in clients' homes. Subsequent work in a local hospital's behavioral health services broadened her experience in individual psychotherapy for people of all ages and backgrounds and included proficiency on in-patient units addressing substance abuse and serious mental illness.

A later role at the Department of Veterans Affairs provided further clinical learning and perspective. Laurie now holds an LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker - and draws on a career of varied clinical settings to offer adaptable, evidence-informed care. She is comfortable using multiple therapeutic modalities to meet the needs of diverse clients and families.

Approaches for Online Therapeutic Support

Laurie Stricker integrates several established approaches into her online work, beginning with Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes listening to the client's experience and supporting their own goals and choices. This approach is useful for building self-esteem and navigating life transitions by centering the client's perspective.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another common tool in her practice. CBT focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and it often supports people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, and difficulties in daily functioning.

Trauma-Focused Therapy is also a key approach given Laurie’s background in infant mental health and work with survivors of abuse. This method addresses the lasting impact of traumatic experiences and aims to reduce symptoms that interfere with everyday life.

Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative process. Laurie works with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and she can adapt strategies over time as progress and circumstances evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules, access support from different locations, and maintain continuity of treatment with licensed professionals and therapists.