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LP Portrait of Lara Peter

Lara Peter

Practical, compassionate therapy with evidence-based tools

MD, LCPC Maryland

Experience
10 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Eating
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Lara

About Lara

Lara Peter is a licensed practitioner with an MD and an LCPC who brings a decade of direct therapeutic experience to her work in Maryland.

Background and approach

She centers her practice on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where adults can explore stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, eating and body image concerns, and other life challenges. Lara emphasizes clear, compassionate listening and offers practical tools drawn from evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered and solution-focused strategies.

Her approach balances validation with active skill-building: she reflects what clients share to promote insight while suggesting concrete techniques and coaching to help people reach their goals. Lara has worked across multiple settings including outpatient, residential, in-home, and educational environments, and she uses that breadth of experience to tailor interventions to each person’s needs.

Sessions are offered through a variety of online formats, and scheduling follows a subscription model that can be adjusted or canceled as needed.

How evidence-informed methods translate online

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and prioritizing the client's perspective, helping people feel heard and understood while exploring personal goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns and teaching practical skills to change behaviors and emotional responses; it is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Motivational Interviewing helps people resolve ambivalence and strengthen their own motivation for change by using collaborative, goal-directed conversations.

Choosing an approach is a collaborative process; the therapist will work with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That partnership includes trying techniques, adjusting strategies, and combining elements from different approaches so the work stays relevant and effective for the individual.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make scheduling more flexible and to support people with varied routines and access needs. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide ongoing skill-building, coaching, and therapeutic support without requiring in-person visits.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Lara works with adults on a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, eating and body image concerns, relationship and communication problems, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, anger, career challenges, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The style blends client-centered listening with practical problem-solving, using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to provide both validation and actionable skills.
What is the therapist's professional background?
She has 10 years of experience as a practicing therapist and has worked in outpatient, in-home, residential, public school, and university settings.
What credentials and location are listed for this clinician?
The clinician holds an MD and is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with licence number MD LCPC LC6145, and she practices in Maryland.
Are sessions available in languages other than English or to international clients?
Sessions are provided in English only, and international clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats are offered for therapy?
Available formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and preferences.
How are fees and payment organized?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are arranged through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are required to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyGriefEating disordersSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSleeping disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPostpartum depressionPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

10+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English