Lori Brinkley, LCSW
Lori Brinkley provides warm practical therapy
- Trauma and anxiety care
- Relationship and parenting help
- CBT and mindfulness techniques
About Lori Brinkley
Lori Brinkley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 25 years of experience providing compassionate, practical support to people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life changes. She works with a broad range of concerns including trauma and abuse, depression, postpartum difficulties, anxious college students, adult children of alcoholics, codependency, parenting and co-parenting after divorce, boundary setting, couples who feel disconnected, and the strains of the sandwich generation. Her practice also addresses grief, intimacy issues, eating and anger concerns, self-esteem and identity issues, career challenges, and compassion fatigue.
She offers a distinctive option called "couple's counseling for one," in which she meets with the willing partner to teach tools, coping skills, and boundary strategies when the other partner is not ready or willing to attend. Her therapeutic stance is warm and nurturing while also being direct and challenging when needed; she believes in balancing support with the work of identifying unhelpful patterns and making difficult connections. Humor is a consistent part of her style and she aims to make therapy engaging and, when appropriate, even enjoyable.
Lori draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness practices alongside strengths-based problem solving to tailor interventions to each person or family. Outside of work she is a mother of two college-aged children who loves spending time outdoors - especially at the beach - and values nature as a calming, restorative force. She enjoys suspense novels, character-driven films, and shared movie nights that introduced her to Star Wars and the Avengers. An avid waterfall hunter and traveler, she also completed a Tough Mudder seven years ago, an experience she describes as transformative for facing fears and growing through challenge.
Lori views therapy as a collaborative process that begins with understanding and validation and moves toward practical change. She welcomes the chance to help individuals and families identify goals, build skills, and cultivate greater joy and balance in their lives.
She offers a distinctive option called "couple's counseling for one," in which she meets with the willing partner to teach tools, coping skills, and boundary strategies when the other partner is not ready or willing to attend. Her therapeutic stance is warm and nurturing while also being direct and challenging when needed; she believes in balancing support with the work of identifying unhelpful patterns and making difficult connections. Humor is a consistent part of her style and she aims to make therapy engaging and, when appropriate, even enjoyable.
Lori draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness practices alongside strengths-based problem solving to tailor interventions to each person or family. Outside of work she is a mother of two college-aged children who loves spending time outdoors - especially at the beach - and values nature as a calming, restorative force. She enjoys suspense novels, character-driven films, and shared movie nights that introduced her to Star Wars and the Avengers. An avid waterfall hunter and traveler, she also completed a Tough Mudder seven years ago, an experience she describes as transformative for facing fears and growing through challenge.
Lori views therapy as a collaborative process that begins with understanding and validation and moves toward practical change. She welcomes the chance to help individuals and families identify goals, build skills, and cultivate greater joy and balance in their lives.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementSelf esteemDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualityWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Lori Brinkley have?
Lori Brinkley has 25 years of experience.
Is Lori Brinkley a licensed therapist?
Yes. Lori Brinkley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). License details: NC LCSW C004200.
In which languages does Lori Brinkley provide therapy?
Therapy is provided in English.
Where is Lori Brinkley located?
Lori Brinkley is located in North Carolina.
How can I work with Lori Brinkley as my therapist?
You can work with Lori Brinkley through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Lori Brinkley work with international clients?
Lori Brinkley does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Lori Brinkley 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 for Effective Online Care
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where the client’s goals and values guide the work; it helps people build self-awareness, strengthen coping, and make choices that fit their lives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises and skills training, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and gentle acceptance strategies to reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation, which can be especially helpful for managing stress, worry, and trauma-related symptoms.Lori approaches the choice of method as a collaborative process. She works with each person to determine which combination of approaches best fits their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress and priorities evolve. Clients are invited to take an active role in shaping the plan of care.
Online therapy with a licensed professional offers real flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and brief check-ins or therapeutic conversations can be handled via live chat or text-based messaging. This range of options makes it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, access support from home or on the go, and maintain continuity of care during life transitions and unexpected challenges.