Lisa Bentivenga , LCSW

Lisa Bentivenga is a licensed clinical social worker with 17 years of experience. She works with adults and teens on concerns like depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. Lisa also supports people from the LGBT community and those facing sexual issues or questions about alternative sexual lifestyles.

She keeps sessions straightforward and practical. Lisa draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people reduce symptoms and build coping skills. She talks through what is happening now, teaches skills for everyday life, and helps clients set small, achievable goals.

Clients come for a range of problems, including mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, chronic illness and pain, and relationship stress. She also addresses family of origin issues, codependency, and challenges tied to adoption or foster care. Lisa is comfortable discussing sexuality, sexual dysfunction, BDSM and kink, and non-monogamous relationship concerns.

Lisa has worked in many settings across her 17-year career, which she says gives her experience with varied life situations. She aims to be approachable and direct, offering clear steps rather than jargon. Lisa describes her style as down-to-earth and nonjudgmental.

Sessions are offered in English and take place online from Florida. The practice uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, a person completes a short matching questionnaire and schedules according to therapist availability.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Lisa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to focus on practical change. One common approach she uses teaches concrete coping skills for anxiety and mood disorders, such as breathing, behavioral activation, and thought-challenging exercises that reduce day-to-day distress. These skills help when worry or low mood make routine tasks hard.

She also applies trauma-informed methods that prioritize safety and pacing. This means working slowly through difficult memories, building grounding and regulation skills first, and only moving toward deeper material when the client feels ready. That approach supports people recovering from sexual assault, abuse, or post-traumatic stress.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Lisa will work with each person to pick techniques that match their goals, comfort level, and life demands. Together they track progress and adjust the plan when needed.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be shorter check-ins with less bandwidth, and messaging or chat can suit people who prefer written check-ins or need more flexible timing. These options make it easier to maintain regular contact and keep momentum between sessions.