My Approach to Helping
Welcome! I'm Lori and I specialize in couples dealing with issues around trust, infidelity and addiction. I also provide therapy for individuals and families who are facing issues such as relationship distress, addictive or compulsive behaviors, separation/divorce, blended family issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
I use the highly successful method of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) when working with couples. EFT has extensive research behind it. It has a 75% success rate with 93% of couples reporting that EFT counseling helped their relationship. It is a short-term, structured therapy that typically takes around 8-20 sessions (longer with trauma and addiction recovery). I have gone through the formal training process and use EFT to help couples with reconnection, communication, infidelity, sexual intimacy, trust-building, trauma and navigating recovery from an addiction.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Arizona and North Carolina. Additionally, I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and member of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (ICCEFT). I received my Masters of Counseling from Arizona State University's accredited counseling program. I graduated from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a business degree.
I completed my internship and continued with eight years of practice at an internationally renowned practice, Psychological Counseling Services (PCS), in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I provided weekly therapy and intensive therapy. PCS is known for its intensive outpatient program for addiction, where I began my niche in helping couples navigate recovery and reconciliation. I focused my professional training on couples and addiction work. I am certified in Advanced Training in Problematic Sexual Behaviors (ATPSB).
I have extensive experience in working with families going through the transition of separation and divorce. For 8 years, I was appointed as a mental health expert by the Arizona Family Court to provide therapeutic services for families going through a divorce. I no longer take court appointments, however, I do provide therapy for couples, individuals and families that are dealing with separation or divorce-related issues.
I live in Charlotte, NC with my husband of 10 years and my two daughters, ages 3 and 6. When I'm not running around with my kids and spending time with my husband, I enjoy providing marriage advice through my blog, Marriage Sense.