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LS Portrait of Lara Shemali

Lara Shemali

Compassionate, practical care for stress and trauma

LMHC Washington

Experience
29 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Lara

About Lara

Lara Shemali is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) based in Washington who draws on nearly three decades of clinical experience to help people manage stress, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma, and addiction recovery.

Background and approach

She combines practical coping skills with compassionate listening to support improvements in mood, self-esteem, and motivation. Her background includes work with depressive disorders, trauma and abuse, and a wide range of life stressors that interfere with functioning and well-being.

Using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) along with acceptance-focused and emotion-oriented methods, she tailors sessions to each client’s needs and goals. Lara emphasizes collaboration and a nonjudgmental therapeutic atmosphere where clients can explore difficult feelings, learn stress reduction tools, and develop strategies for healthier relationships and recovery.

She also offers flexible scheduling that can include evenings and weekends when available, acknowledging the challenges of balancing therapy with work and life commitments.

Integrating CBT and Acceptance-Based Work Online

Lara uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behavioral strategies, which is useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. She also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support clients in clarifying values, building psychological flexibility, and learning how to live with difficult emotions without being driven by them. Both approaches emphasize concrete skills and real-world practice that translate well to remote sessions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Lara partners with each client to explore which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances, adjusting techniques over time to reflect progress and changing needs. This shared decision-making helps shape a treatment plan that feels relevant and actionable.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for people with busy schedules or geographic constraints. These formats allow ongoing work on coping skills, communication patterns, and recovery goals while making it easier to attend sessions from home or elsewhere. Licensed professionals can use these tools to maintain continuity of care and adapt interventions to each client’s routine and commitments.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and depression, and also works with issues such as addiction, attachment challenges, and chronic illness.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Lara blends evidence-based strategies and empathic listening, using collaborative, client-centered work alongside approaches that encourage acceptance and emotional processing.
How long has she practiced?
She brings 29 years of professional experience to her work with clients across a range of concerns and treatment needs.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is an LMHC licensed in Washington with licence number WA LMHC LH60083808.
Does she work with nonlocal or international clients?
Yes, she accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.
What formats are available for sessions?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost depend on?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseSelf esteemDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential Therapy

Experience

29+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English