Lara O'Gorman

I earned my Master of Social Work in 2020 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2026. My clinical experience has spanned a variety of acute and complex settings, including residential foster care, county correctional services, and community mental health. These experiences have allowed me to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of needs, including neurodivergence, intellectual and learning disabilities, acute emotional and behavioral concerns, and complex trauma.

My work as a therapist is also informed by my own experiences. As someone who is neurodivergent and has navigated my own mental health journey, I understand how difficult it can be to ask for help, feel misunderstood, or try to find your way through periods of uncertainty and change. My personal experiences have been one of the inspirations behind becoming a therapist and have deepened my belief that people deserve to feel genuinely heard, accepted, and understood—not judged or defined by their struggles.

I have experience supporting clients navigating depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma, self-harm, relationship concerns, self-esteem, life transitions, adjustment issues, bipolar disorder, grief, and personality disorders. I believe that every person brings unique strengths and experiences to therapy, and I strive to create a space where clients can show up as their authentic selves while feeling supported in working toward meaningful change.

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, person-centered, and conversational. I believe therapy should feel like a partnership—not a place where someone tells you what you should be doing or expects you to have everything figured out. I meet you where you are and work at your pace, recognizing that meaningful change looks different for everyone.

I use a strengths-based foundation and integrate trauma-informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and somatic approaches into my work. Together, we can explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, relationships, and physical experiences while developing practical tools that fit into your everyday life.

I also believe there is value in creating space for humor, honesty, curiosity, and genuine conversation. Therapy doesn't have to feel intimidating or overly clinical. My goal is to create an environment where you feel comfortable being yourself, where your experiences are validated, and where we can work together to better understand what you need—not simply focus on what feels "wrong." I want clients to leave therapy feeling more connected to themselves, more confident in their strengths, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you're not sure what to expect or have had experiences where you didn't feel truly understood. My goal from the first session is to make that process feel a little easier.

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin building a therapeutic relationship. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you're experiencing right now, and what you hope to get out of the process. I'll also learn more about your history, relationships, strengths, and the experiences that have shaped you.

You don't need to have the right words, a perfectly organized story, or a clear understanding of exactly what you need before coming in. We can figure that out together. You can expect a supportive, judgment-free, and conversational environment where you can share at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Most importantly, the first session isn't about trying to "fix" everything at once. It's about creating a foundation of trust, understanding where you are, and beginning to identify what you want your life to look and feel like moving forward. From there, we'll work together to develop goals and an approach that feels right for you.