Dr. Lori Dougherty

Dr. Lori Dougherty uses a client-centered approach to help people find practical ways forward. She combines techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, EMDR, and mindfulness to tailor sessions to each person's needs. Lori holds an LMFT and practices in Colorado with ten years of experience. Her work focuses on common challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and addictions. She also supports people dealing with relationship strain, intimacy concerns, grief, and trauma. Lori pays attention to issues that often lie beneath symptom lists, including abandonment, codependency, and family of origin struggles. In sessions she listens first and builds a working relationship before suggesting tools. Expect clear, concrete strategies you can try between meetings, like thought tracking, grounding skills, or paced exposure. She blends skills training with moments to process painful memories when that fits the goal. Lori treats substance use and impulsivity as behavioral patterns that respond to direction and motivation work. Motivational interviewing elements help people find personal reasons to change. For trauma-related pain she may use EMDR-informed methods alongside mindfulness to reduce reactivity and improve daily functioning. Her style is collaborative and practical. Goals come from the person in therapy and guide which approaches are used. To begin, a short intake and discussion of goals set the path for ongoing sessions.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and building a helpful relationship. Online sessions let the therapist and client talk through current concerns and decide goals together, with the therapist reflecting and asking questions to clarify what matters most.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is about identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying different behaviors. In an online setting this looks like setting small practice tasks between sessions, reviewing thought records, and adjusting plans with coach-like feedback.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) offers skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication. Those skills can be taught and practiced in remote sessions and then used in daily life to reduce overwhelm and improve decisions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, preferences, and current situation. That conversation may shift over time as progress is made and needs change.

Confirm the available session options before booking since formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Discuss format preferences during the initial matching step so sessions fit into everyday life.