Betsy Carpenter, MD, LCPC

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person’s experience. The therapist follows the person’s lead, reflects what they hear, and helps people find their own next steps. This approach is useful when someone needs support, clearer self-understanding, or a steady relationship while making changes.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It uses straightforward exercises to test unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. CBT is often helpful for anxiety, depression, and specific coping skills parents or busy adults want to practice.

Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on processing upsetting events in ways that reduce their hold on day-to-day life. It combines careful pacing with tools to manage strong emotions and can be used alongside other methods when past trauma affects relationships or parenting.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences. That partnership allows adjustments over time so sessions stay useful and relevant.

Online sessions let people fit therapy into real life. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction when a longer conversation is needed. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for quick check-ins. Live chat or text-based messaging work well for brief updates, ongoing support between sessions, or when typing feels more comfortable. These options increase flexibility and make it easier to keep momentum toward change.