Lora DeVore-Matz , LICSW

Lora DeVore-Matz is a licensed independent clinical social worker with 38 years of experience in Minnesota. She focuses on helping people facing addictions, relationship stress, trauma and abuse, and problems with self-esteem. Lora also provides coaching to support motivation and career or leadership goals.

Her approach starts with listening. She treats people with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. Sessions are shaped to each person so conversations and goals match what matters most to them.

Lora works with a broad range of life concerns beyond those core areas. She helps people dealing with abandonment and attachment issues, grief around illness or cancer, chronic pain and disability, and the ripple effects of workplace stress. She also supports those coping with loneliness, questions about sexuality, and life-purpose concerns.

She has particular experience addressing post-traumatic stress and veteran and armed forces issues, and she helps people repair communication problems and practice forgiveness. Her work supports people navigating midlife transitions, building self-love, and strengthening relationships.

Lora aims to empower people to make changes that feel manageable and real. She tailors plans collaboratively and adjusts pacing to fit each person’s readiness. Taking the first step can feel hard, and she focuses on steady, practical progress rather than quick fixes.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Evidence-based therapeutic techniques focus on practical strategies that can be used in remote sessions. One common approach emphasizes building coping skills and managing symptoms through structured exercises and practice between sessions; this helps with addictions, anxiety, and stress reactions. Another approach centers on processing trauma and improving safety and stabilization, using paced conversations and grounding tools suited to video or phone work. Both approaches aim to give concrete tools people can try between meetings.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they shape a plan and adjust methods over time so therapy fits the person rather than forcing a single technique.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and screen-sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions work when bandwidth or camera use is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for short check-ins, tracking progress, or getting support between session times. These options make it easier to fit counseling into work, treatment for chronic illness, or a busy schedule while maintaining consistent contact with a licensed professional.