Lorinda (Lori) Kniess, LMHC

Lorinda (Lori) Kniess is a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 15 years of experience helping people facing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and addictions. She aims to make the first step easier by offering a warm, open space where people can speak without judgment. Lori acknowledges that starting therapy takes courage and she encourages clients through that initial step.

In sessions she focuses on listening first and understanding each person's story. She draws on practical methods like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try different responses. Motivational interviewing is used when clients want to change behaviors related to substance use or other difficult habits.

Her style is collaborative and down-to-earth. Lori helps clients set small, manageable goals and tracks progress together. She pays attention to family of origin issues, attachment and abandonment themes, and problems with communication that often show up alongside depression or anxiety.

She also works with concerns tied to aging, caregiving stress, body image, codependency, and divorce or separation. Addictions and drug and alcohol problems are part of her focus as well, approached with a mix of practical strategies and support for motivation.

Sessions use approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and narrative methods when helpful. People can expect straightforward talk, skill practice, and gentle encouragement toward changes that fit their life.

How therapy approaches translate to online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts without getting stuck in them and then commit to actions that reflect their values. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and struggles with meaning or motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing behaviors through small, practical experiments and skill practice. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, and behavioral patterns tied to substance use. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client’s lead and supports self-directed growth.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will help figure out which methods fit a person's needs, goals, and preferences. This is a collaborative process and may involve trying different techniques until something feels helpful.

The original biography does not specify which session formats are offered, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life - for example it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight, or make it simpler to maintain continuity of care during life changes. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and client-centered techniques effectively to remote sessions, focusing on practical skills, goal setting, and follow-up between meetings.