Lisa McCarton, LCSW

Lisa McCarton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with 20 years of clinical experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, earned in 2000, and began her post-master's career working in a residential treatment facility serving emotionally and physically abused children, where she provided both therapy and case management for children and their families.

Her practice has focused on psychotherapy and social work with children, adolescents, and families, addressing a wide range of concerns including behavioral problems, trauma and abuse, family relationships, mood disorders, school-related issues, and sexual abuse. In addition to these areas, she works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, anger, grief, self-esteem, relationship and parenting challenges, career concerns, and coping with life changes. She also addresses more specific focus areas such as abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, attachment difficulties, dissociation, domestic violence, and blended family dynamics.

Her approach is goal oriented and client centered, blending hands-on, practical strategies with depth-oriented work. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), explaining and using techniques to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier coping responses. She also integrates Problem-Solving Therapy and a Strength-Based Approach along with Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Therapy as appropriate to each person’s needs.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of a trusting, emotionally supportive therapeutic relationship as the foundation for change and growth. She recognizes that seeking help can feel vulnerable and approaches treatment with empathy, practical skills, and an orientation toward achievable goals, helping people move forward through difficult and painful times.