Lawrence Matheny, LPC, LMFT
Experienced Virginia LPC and LMFT
- Couples and family therapy
- Trauma and grief
- Addictions and mood disorders
About Lawrence Matheny
Lawrence Matheny brings a compassionate, faith-informed perspective to counseling, drawing on both clinical training and decades of ministry experience. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) - credentials that reflect formal training in individual counseling and in therapy for couples and families. His professional background includes long work in psychiatric hospitals and community-based mental health and substance abuse settings, where he has provided therapy to individuals, couples, and families facing serious and persistent mental illness, mood disorders, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and addiction, relationship and parenting concerns, trauma, grief, and religious issues.
His pastoral background extends more than 40 years, including 16 years as an ordained minister, and he holds a master’s degree in Counseling as well as a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry. That combination of clinical and ministry experience informs a practice that is comfortable working with people from a wide range of faith backgrounds or with no faith at all, and with diverse identities including straight and LGBTQIA clients. He has worked with children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents, and people in hospice and their families.
Lawrence believes the client is the expert in their own life and focuses on identifying strengths and practical steps to move toward goals. If faith traditions matter to a person, he is willing to explore those resources as part of care. He emphasizes that meaningful change can begin in the therapy session and approaches counseling with real-world tools and encouragement to help clients feel better and achieve their aims.
His pastoral background extends more than 40 years, including 16 years as an ordained minister, and he holds a master’s degree in Counseling as well as a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry. That combination of clinical and ministry experience informs a practice that is comfortable working with people from a wide range of faith backgrounds or with no faith at all, and with diverse identities including straight and LGBTQIA clients. He has worked with children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents, and people in hospice and their families.
Lawrence believes the client is the expert in their own life and focuses on identifying strengths and practical steps to move toward goals. If faith traditions matter to a person, he is willing to explore those resources as part of care. He emphasizes that meaningful change can begin in the therapy session and approaches counseling with real-world tools and encouragement to help clients feel better and achieve their aims.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
Aging and geriatric issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disasterFamily of origin issuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stress
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Lawrence Matheny have?
Lawrence Matheny has 34 years of experience.
Is Lawrence Matheny a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credentials LPC and LMFT. His Virginia license numbers are VA LPC 0701002520 and VA LMFT 0717000741.
In which languages does Lawrence Matheny provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English.
Where is Lawrence Matheny located?
He is located in Virginia.
How can I work with Lawrence Matheny as my therapist?
You can work with Lawrence Matheny through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Lawrence Matheny work with international clients?
He does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Lawrence Matheny cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Lawrence commonly uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in his work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and helping a person identify their own goals and strengths so they can make changes that matter in daily life - it is useful for relationship concerns, grief, and building self esteem. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps people recognize unhelpful thoughts and patterns and develop practical skills to reduce anxiety, depression, and mood-related symptoms.Many clients also benefit from trauma-focused techniques when past events continue to affect day-to-day functioning. Trauma-focused approaches aim to process distressing experiences and build coping strategies to manage triggers and symptoms. Lawrence works collaboratively with each person to identify which approaches fit best - assessment, client goals, and personal preferences guide the treatment plan and adjustments are made as therapy progresses.
Online therapy offers flexibility by allowing sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy schedules, manage transportation or mobility challenges, and maintain continuity of support. These options let therapists and clients focus on treatment content, progress, and real-world strategies without sacrificing accessibility.