- Client-centered care
- Focus on codependency
- Goal oriented
About Laverne
Laverne Santangelo is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan who aims to help people struggling with stress, anxiety, addiction, mood issues, and codependency. She brings a direct, steady presence and listens for what matters most to each person. Her background as a veteran shapes how she understands life transitions and the effects of long-term service on well-being.
She has about 10 years as an LPC and more than two decades helping others in volunteer and service roles. Laverne draws on lived experience with mental health and family addiction, so she understands both seeking care and the barriers people face. That history informs a practical, nonjudgmental style in sessions.
Her work often combines person-centered planning with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based ideas. Sessions tend to focus on clear, small steps people can use between meetings, and on building skills to manage mood, cravings, or overwhelming thoughts. She also integrates life-coaching tools for goal setting and practical change.
Laverne has experience in inpatient settings, community mental health, group facilitation, and supporting people affected by substance use. She has run groups for women navigating life transitions and supported family members trying to understand addiction. Those roles shaped her focus on shame, forgiveness, and restoring daily balance.
Clients who choose her can expect collaborative planning, a mix of therapeutic and coaching techniques, and attention to mind-body approaches such as trauma-informed yoga. Her goal is to help people move toward stability, clearer goals, and better everyday functioning.
Approaches that translate well to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a plan based on each person’s needs. It emphasizes respect and collaboration and helps when someone needs a safe space to sort out feelings and choices.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and then tests small changes to reduce symptoms. It is useful for anxiety, depression, mood swings, and many stress-related concerns.
Mindfulness Therapy brings attention practices and grounding techniques into daily life to reduce reactivity and support better sleep and coping. It can pair well with CBT to help people notice patterns before they escalate.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to emphasize person-centered support, CBT tools, mindfulness practices, or a mix that fits the issue at hand.
Many people find online therapy easier to fold into a busy week because sessions can be scheduled without travel. If you want to know which session formats are offered, confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it simpler to follow through with homework, check in between meetings, and practice skills in real-life settings.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
Michigan
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar symptoms, addictions, codependency, and related issues like anger, grief, and family of origin problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth, using person-centered planning alongside Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and motivational interviewing to set practical goals.
What background and experience does she bring?
She is a military veteran with about 10 years as an LPC and decades of volunteer and helping roles, including inpatient and community mental health work.
What credentials and region are listed?
She holds the credential LPC, identified as MI LPC for Michigan, and practices out of Michigan.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
Which session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current session options before booking.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.