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LJ Portrait of Lawrence Goncalves Jr.

Lawrence Goncalves Jr.

Empathetic clinician blending practical therapy methods

LICSW Washington

Experience
25 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Bipolar
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Lawrence

About Lawrence

Lawrence Goncalves Jr. brings a client-centered approach grounded in 25 years of clinical experience to help people navigate stress, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, addictions, and complex family concerns.

Background and approach

He earned a B.A. in Juvenile Counseling and later a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington, and practices as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington.

Over the course of his career he has worked across community mental health settings including youth programs, domestic violence shelters, group homes, and juvenile services, building practical experience with a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

Lawrence integrates multiple therapeutic methods to match each person's needs, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, existential ideas, and client-centered practices. He focuses on helping clients develop tools to manage symptoms, rethink patterns, and cope with life transitions such as grief, relationship challenges, parenting strains, and issues related to self esteem and identity.

He aims to make therapy usable and goal-oriented so clients leave sessions feeling better equipped to handle everyday demands. His practice emphasizes a strong therapeutic relationship as the foundation for change, with an emphasis on safety, collaboration, and realistic strategies that fit each client's life and preferences.

How Lawrence’s Approaches Translate to Online Therapy



Lawrence commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in his work. CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can help with anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and coping with life changes by teaching practical skills and structured exercises. DBT emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, supporting people who struggle with intense emotions, impulsivity, conflict, or relationship patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the clinical process, and Lawrence collaborates with clients to determine which methods fit their goals and preferences. He draws on client-centered principles to listen and tailor interventions, so therapy evolves based on what helps the individual make meaningful progress.

Online work with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy schedules and different comfort levels with communication. These formats make it possible to practice CBT or DBT skills between sessions, stay connected during transitions, and adapt session structure to what supports ongoing engagement and accessibility for each client.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Lawrence address?
He works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, depression, addictions, family and parenting concerns, grief, sleeping problems, anger, and self esteem challenges.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He combines client-centered listening with evidence-informed techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and EMDR to build practical coping skills and explore underlying patterns.
What is his professional background?
He has 25 years of experience, beginning in community mental health and youth services and later earning a Master of Social Work before becoming an LICSW.
Where is his practice located and what credential does he hold?
He practices in Washington and holds the credential WA LICSW LW00009741 as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages or with international clients?
Sessions are offered in English only and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working together?
He offers various online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyTrauma and abuseBipolar disorderDepression

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCoping with life changesCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesImpulsivityInfidelityJealousyMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSexual assault and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English