Lisa McCarton , LCSW

Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 20 years of experience. She works primarily with children, adolescents, and families, offering psychotherapy for a broad range of concerns including behavioral problems, trauma, family relationship challenges, mood disorders, school-related issues, and sexual abuse. Her clinical work spans direct therapy and supportive case management designed to address complex needs across home, school, and treatment settings.

McCarton earned a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2000 and began her post-masters career in a residential treatment facility serving emotionally and physically abused children. In that role she provided both individual and family therapy as well as case management, developing practical skills in working with high-needs youth and their caregivers.

Her therapeutic style is goal-oriented and client-centered, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Problem-Solving Therapy, and a Strength-Based Approach. CBT is used to help identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, while problem-solving and strength-based methods emphasize practical strategies and existing personal resources. McCarton emphasizes building a trusting, emotionally supportive relationship as the foundation for change, and she approaches difficult life experiences with empathy and a focus on realistic, achievable goals.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Lisa McCarton integrates approaches that emphasize safety, collaboration, and practical skills. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of connection and trust formed in relationships; it helps people understand how early bonds influence current relationships and emotional responses. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person's experience, using empathy and active listening to support self-directed growth and to strengthen the client-therapist relationship as a vehicle for change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured techniques and skill-building, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. McCarton works with each person to clarify goals, consider strengths and preferences, and adapt methods over time so therapy fits the client's needs and life circumstances.

Online therapy options - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - make it easier to access care from different locations and on varied schedules. These formats offer flexibility for busy families, support continuity during life transitions, and allow licensed professionals to use the same therapeutic tools in ways that fit each person’s routine and communication style.