Prof. Randolph (Randy) Beasley, LMFT

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Client-centered therapy puts the person's needs and perspective first. In practice this means sessions focus on listening, reflecting what matters, and co-creating goals that fit the client's life. It helps with stress, parenting worries, and relationship concerns by keeping the work grounded in the client's priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets patterns of thought and behavior that keep problems going. Sessions typically identify specific thoughts and habits, then practice new responses and coping skills. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, anger, and some eating or addictive behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy, DBT, brings skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness. It combines acceptance and change strategies and is often helpful for mood instability, intense reactions, and communication breakdowns.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose methods that match goals, preferences, and the problem at hand. That choice can change as progress unfolds, so the plan is reviewed together over time.

Online formats support that collaborative work. Video calls let the therapist and client use visual cues for communication practice. Phone sessions are a straightforward option when bandwidth or camera time is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging suit brief check-ins, coaching-style guidance, or supplementing longer sessions. These options make scheduling easier and help therapy fit into busy family and work routines.