Morgan Sternhagen, LCPC

How these approaches translate to online therapy

The therapist uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors. CBT often involves setting small, practical goals and trying specific exercises between sessions to reduce anxiety or change mood patterns.

Trauma-focused therapy is used to address the effects of past traumatic events. This work breaks problems into manageable pieces, helps build coping skills, and focuses on gradual steps toward feeling safer and more in control.

Attachment-based ideas are woven in to help people recognize relationship patterns and how early connections affect current responses. This can be useful for improving trust, communication, and emotional regulation in close relationships.

Morgan treats finding the right approach as a team effort. She will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed based on results and comfort.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls let people see facial cues and use visual tools, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and messaging formats are helpful for quick check-ins or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it simpler to fit therapy into work, school, or family routines.