LPC

Lara Ashbaugh, LPC

Experience10 years
LocationMissouri
Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Grief
Therapy approachesAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Client-Centered Therapy

Check the available next steps for working with Lara online.

About Lara

Lara Ashbaugh is an LPC who draws on evidence-based therapies to help people navigate stress, mood difficulties, relationship struggles, and life transitions. She blends cognitive behavioral methods with acceptance-based practices to address anxiety, depression, ADHD-related concerns, grief, and trauma.

Background and approach

Her work emphasizes practical skills for managing emotions, improving coping, and strengthening daily functioning. With a decade of experience as a therapist, supervisor, and educator, Lara has supported clients dealing with addictions, compassion fatigue, parenting and career issues, and a wide range of identity and relationship questions including LGBT and gender dysphoria topics.

She also attends to concerns such as body image, fertility and caregiver stress, and complex issues like dissociation and past abuse. Lara values a strengths-oriented perspective and often integrates dialectical behavior therapy techniques to build emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.

Her style is warm and interactive, focused on respectful, nonstigmatizing collaboration. Lara individualizes therapy to each person’s needs, drawing on motivational interviewing and mindfulness to help people discover what’s working and develop sustainable changes.

She invites those ready for growth to begin the process toward more fulfilling and manageable daily life.

How proven approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and take committed actions aligned with their values while learning to relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, then practicing practical strategies to change patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, or low motivation. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers specific skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindful awareness that can reduce reactivity and improve relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lara collaborates with each client to determine what fits their needs, goals, and preferences. She combines elements from these models to create a tailored plan, and clients are invited to give feedback so the work remains relevant and effective for their day-to-day life.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and lifestyles. These formats make it easier to attend regularly, practice skills between meetings, and maintain momentum when life is busy or transitions arise. Licensed professionals can use these options to support consistent progress and adapt strategies to each client's circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Lara commonly address?

She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, trauma and abuse, addictions, and relationship or career difficulties.

What therapeutic styles does she use in sessions?

The approach combines cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, DBT skills, client-centered principles, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor care to each client.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 10 years of experience working as a therapist, supervisor, and teacher in clinical settings.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

Lara holds the LPC credential and is licensed in Missouri under MO LPC 2007035135.

Can clients who speak other languages work with her?

Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

Which session formats are available?

She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a brief matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Grief Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Adoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily problemsFertility issuesGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / loneliness Life purposeMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Missouri

Languages

English

What Lara can help with

Lara Ashbaugh works with clients on stress and anxiety, grief, self esteem, depression, and coping with life changes.

Lara works with clients with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and parenting problems.

How Lara approaches therapy

Lara's clinical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Experience and training

Lara is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Missouri.