Lisa Bentivenga, LCSW

Lisa Bentivenga is a licensed clinical social worker with 17 years of experience. She presents a grounded, approachable style that many people find easy to talk with. Lisa helps teens and adults manage anxiety, depression, grief, and stress. She also provides support around LGBT concerns and trauma and abuse. Her work extends to a wide range of life challenges. She addresses post-traumatic stress and sexual assault and abuse alongside sexual functioning and issues related to BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture. Lisa also supports people facing adoption and foster care questions, aging and geriatric concerns, chronic illness and disability, and codependency. She draws on practical, evidence-based therapeutic techniques to teach new skills and coping strategies. Sessions focus on clear goals and small steps clients can try between meetings. Lisa is direct but warm, aiming to reduce shame and judgment so people can speak honestly about their lives. Lisa has worked in many settings over her career, which she says helps her adapt to different problems and personalities. She treats teens and adults of all ages and has consistently worked with members of the LGBTQ community. Her practice in Florida is informed by nearly two decades of clinical experience and real-world perspective as a parent and partner. People who choose Lisa often want an everyday approach rather than clinical distance. She prioritizes straightforward conversation, practical tools, and collaborative planning to help people move forward from trauma, relationship strain, or persistent mood and anxiety symptoms.

How evidence-based methods translate to online care

Lisa uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide sessions in clear, practical ways. One approach focuses on skill-building for emotion regulation and anxiety management, teaching concrete tools for calming and coping that people can practice between meetings. Another approach addresses trauma and post-traumatic stress by helping clients process distressing memories at a pace they can tolerate and by developing safety and grounding skills. Finding the right method is a collaborative process. Lisa will work with each person to choose approaches that fit their goals, needs, and comfort level. She reviews options together and adjusts techniques as progress is made so therapy stays helpful and relevant. If you are considering online therapy, check the session options before booking to confirm how this therapist currently offers care. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let people use approaches like skills practice and guided processing from their own daily routine, while the therapist helps set practical goals and homework to support progress.