Lacey Gaters, LCSW-C

Lacey Gaters greets visitors with straightforward support for common struggles. She acknowledges how hard it can feel to ask for help and focuses first on what the person wants to change. Lacey encourages clients to name their goals and identify the barriers keeping them from reaching those goals. Lacey uses clear, practical methods to help people shift thinking and behavior. She favors Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thoughts and build new habits. Her approach also includes client-centered listening, mindfulness practices, and solution-focused steps when people need quick, actionable changes. She brings 11 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland. Her background includes time in hospitals and outpatient clinics, where she supported people with a wide range of concerns. Lacey earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland. Parents and young adults often come for help with mood changes, ADHD, anxiety, stress, and behavior concerns. She also addresses grief, trauma and abuse, caregiver strain, and multicultural issues. Lacey uses a respectful, nonjudgmental style and listens actively to build trust. Beginning therapy with Lacey starts with naming goals and choosing practical steps. She won’t tell clients what to do, but will challenge limiting beliefs and offer tools to increase confidence. She welcomes open conversation about what each person needs and adapts sessions to match those goals.

How Lacey’s approaches translate to online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building understanding. The therapist follows the person’s lead and supports them in finding their own solutions, which helps when clients need time to name goals and priorities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets thoughts and behaviors with clear exercises. It helps people notice patterns, test new ideas, and practice different responses to reduce anxiety and improve mood.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing skills to reduce reactivity. These practices can support stress management, improve focus for ADHD concerns, and help manage strong emotions after trauma.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their needs, goals, and preferences. That means trying tools, checking what helps, and adjusting plans together.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available online options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Those practical benefits can help caregivers and busy parents maintain regular sessions while managing everyday responsibilities.