Laura Lininger , LCSW

Laura Lininger, LCSW, brings 31 years of social work experience to her practice in Indiana. She earned a BA in psychology from Indiana University and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University. Her background spans many settings and client ages, and she now focuses on helping adults who are dealing with issues rooted in earlier life experiences.

Laura uses practical, evidence-informed approaches in sessions. She often blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also uses EMDR and mindfulness practices when those methods fit the concern at hand.

People come to her for stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and struggles with self-esteem. She also supports those facing life changes, relationship and family problems, and questions around gender identity and LGBT concerns. Additional areas she often addresses include codependency, body image, abandonment, and communication or commitment issues.

Sessions aim to be straightforward and focused. Laura helps people identify patterns, practice new skills, and set manageable goals. She draws on her long experience with childhood and adolescent work to support adults who want to understand family of origin issues and the impact of earlier wounds.

Her practice offers a nonjudgmental atmosphere for people of all races, genders, and religions. Laura accepts international clients and works through multiple online formats to fit different schedules and needs.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Laura often uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which helps people clarify what matters to them and take committed steps toward those values while learning to accept difficult thoughts and feelings. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to weigh thoughts and behaviors, teach coping skills, and make concrete changes that reduce anxiety and depression.

Finding the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, symptoms, and preferences and then tailor methods accordingly. Over time the plan can be adjusted based on what helps most for the person's situation.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video is useful for full conversations and visual cues, phone works well when lower bandwidth is needed, live chat is convenient for quick check-ins, and messaging can support ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules and to keep work going from different locations.