- ACT
- CBT
- Client-centered
About Lia
Dr. Lia Willis is an LCSW licensed in Missouri with 20 years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, depression, career difficulties, coping with life changes, relationship concerns, grief, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses family of origin issues and related concerns such as codependency and guilt and shame.
Dr. Willis listens for how patterns from the family someone grew up in still affect daily life. She uses plain conversation to map recurring responses and habits that cause strain. Sessions involve talking through what’s happening now and tracing how earlier expectations or roles might be contributing.
Her approach draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She helps people notice thoughts and feelings, choose values-based actions, and try small behavior changes to reduce distress. Practical strategies are paired with time to reflect on what matters most.
Across 20 years she has supported people facing medical and emotional difficulties, caregiving stress, and complex relationship questions. She works with issues linked to adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric concerns, and end-of-life and hospice matters when these relate to the person’s current struggles.
Sessions are conversational and focused on what a person wants to change. Dr. Willis aims to clarify options and practice concrete skills that fit daily life. To begin, the site matching process is used to schedule an initial session and confirm current session options and formats.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then choosing actions that reflect what matters to the person. It is often used for anxiety, avoidance, and when people want clearer direction for life choices.Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and reflecting so the person can explore thoughts and feelings at their own pace. It helps people gain self-understanding and confidence to make changes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thinking patterns influence feelings and behavior, and it uses practical exercises to test and change unhelpful thoughts. It is commonly applied to anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist and client decide together which methods to try based on the person’s goals and preferences. Methods can be mixed so sessions fit what actually helps in daily life.
Confirm the available session formats before booking so you know how you will meet. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Ask during scheduling about the current session options and any practical details you want to plan for.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Missouri
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, career problems, relationship challenges, grief, and compassion fatigue, plus related issues such as codependency and family of origin patterns.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a conversational, client-centered style that combines noticing thoughts and feelings with practical skill-building to address current problems.
How much experience does she have?
Dr. Willis has 20 years of clinical experience working with people facing emotional and medical-related difficulties.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LCSW licensed in Missouri and practices in that state.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she accept clients from other countries?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How does cost work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; final pricing is provided during sign-up.
How do I start a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session through the system.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.