Lawrence Goncalves Jr. , LICSW

Lawrence Goncalves Jr. is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 25 years of experience in mental health care. He began his professional path after earning a B.A. in Juvenile Counseling from the University of Washington and spent his first decade working as a youth and family counselor in a community mental health clinic, building direct experience with young people and their families in a range of settings including juvenile justice programs, domestic violence shelters, community centers, and youth group homes.

After completing a Master of Social Work at the University of Washington, he advanced to an independent clinical practice as an LICSW - a credential that reflects advanced clinical social work training and authorization to provide independent mental health therapy. Over the years he has delivered treatment and services to individuals, couples, families, groups, and community populations across age ranges and diverse cultural and racial backgrounds.

He places a strong emphasis on safety and regards the therapeutic relationship as the central component of effective work. His clinical approach draws on several established methods, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Multisystemic Therapy (MST). By integrating these strategies, he focuses on practical, usable ways to help people manage, tolerate, and reframe real-life challenges and problems.

Could Remote Therapy Fit Your Life?

Many people ask whether connecting with a therapist remotely can really help. For common concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or managing life transitions, online therapy has been found to perform comparably to traditional in-person sessions for many people.

One of the main benefits is flexibility - individuals can meet with a therapist in the format that fits their schedule and comfort level, whether by video call, phone session, live chat, or in-app messaging. This range of options can make it easier to maintain consistency and access support when life is busy or circumstances make in-person visits difficult.

Licensed professionals provide care through these remote formats, and people may change therapists if they prefer a different fit. For those weighing whether online therapy is a good match, considering practical needs, communication preferences, and scheduling constraints can help determine the best approach.