Betty Lustig , LMHC

Betty Lustig is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 18 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, and trauma. She practices in Florida and supports people facing career strain, sleep problems, anger, self-esteem struggles, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. Betty also assists with complex life transitions and caregiving challenges.

Her approach is down-to-earth and collaborative. She listens first to understand what matters most to each person. Sessions focus on practical steps that can be tried between meetings and adjusted as progress is made.

Betty uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, accepting space where people can speak freely. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and to develop new coping skills. These methods are combined in ways that fit the person’s needs.

Over nearly two decades she has worked with people affected by family of origin issues, divorce and separation, blended family challenges, and communication problems. She also supports those juggling chronic illness, hospice and end-of-life concerns, cancer, caregiving stress, and aging-related worries.

Sessions are practical and focused on the person's goals, whether that is reducing anxiety, improving relationships, recovering from loss, or handling day-to-day stresses. She aims to help people feel stronger and more able to handle change.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes acceptance, empathy, and a trusting relationship. Online sessions allow this to happen through conversation that focuses on what the person finds most important and helpful. This approach often helps people explore feelings, loss, and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a hands-on method that identifies unhelpful thoughts and habits and replaces them with practical skills. Online CBT can include worksheets, behavioral experiments, and step-by-step skill practice to address anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress-related issues.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and daily life to decide whether Client-Centered work, CBT, or a blend makes the most sense. Sessions are adjusted over time based on what helps.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversation and seeing nonverbal cues. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or for a shorter check-in. Live chat and text messaging can fit around busy days, offer quick support between sessions, and make it easier to keep a regular routine. These options provide flexibility and make it simpler to keep therapy going alongside work, caregiving, or travel.