Betty Peterson, LCSW

Approaches for online care and practical coping

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck, then take values-driven actions to move toward a more meaningful life; it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and replacing them with concrete skills and experiments, which is often effective for stress, mood disorders, and insomnia. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and collaboration, offering a supportive environment where clients lead the work while the therapist reflects and helps clarify goals.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will work collaboratively with each client to select and adapt methods based on individual needs, goals, and preferences, trying different techniques when necessary to find what produces the most benefit.

Online care offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and access support from home. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide consistent, structured therapy while accommodating differences in comfort, pace, and communication style.