Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg, LCSW

Illinois · 42 years in practice

Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg is a licensed clinical social worker with 42 years of counseling experience.

License and registration

LCSW, Illinois: 149008012 · expires November 2027
NPI: 1649696832 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 42
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the license with the issuing state board, and the NPI with the national registry.

About Lawrence

Lawrence "Larry" Westenberg is a licensed clinical social worker with 42 years of counseling experience. He focuses on practical help rather than labels. Larry aims to find what works for each person and build from their strengths.

Larry began his career in a state hospital helping people with severe mental illness. That early work taught him to look for usable skills in every person. He learned to support people in using what they already have to improve daily life.

Background and approach

He uses straightforward conversation, practical exercises, and guided techniques to address stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and relationship concerns. He also offers help for addictions, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and questions about sexuality and alternative sex culture. Larry names mindfulness, cognitive approaches, and hypnotherapy among the methods he draws on.

Larry describes his style as down-to-earth and solution focused. He prefers short, clear steps that clients can try between sessions. He also works on life purpose, career questions, grief, caregiver stress, and family of origin issues.

Clients can expect an experienced clinician who values their perspective. He emphasizes collaboration and real-world changes rather than long, abstract talk. Larry practices in Illinois as an LCSW and communicates in English.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Lawrence lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
Depression
Coping with life changes
Addictions
LGBT
Relationship issues
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Coaching
ADHD
Autism and Asperger Syndrome
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Caregiver issues and stress
Communication problems
Control issues
Divorce and separation
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
First responder issues
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Life purpose
Men's issues
Midlife crisis
Multicultural concerns
Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Post-traumatic stress
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Self-harm
Self-love
Sex addiction
Sexual assault and abuse
Sexuality
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia

Approaches Lawrence names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approaches you can use online

Hypnotherapy is a guided technique that uses focused attention and suggestion to help change habits, reduce anxiety, or support coping strategies. It can be useful for stress, certain addictive behaviors, and shifting unhelpful patterns.

Client-Centered Therapy centers on the person's experience and goals. The therapist follows the client's lead, listens closely, and helps people find their own solutions to relationship, identity, or life-purpose concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and practical problem solving.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Adjustments are common as progress is tracked together.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video allows real-time conversation similar to in-person meetings, phone can work when bandwidth or camera time is limited, and messaging supports brief check-ins or ongoing coaching between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or caregiving schedules while keeping continuity of care.

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Questions people ask

What concerns does he help with?

Larry works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, depression, self-esteem, addictions, bipolar, ADHD, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, and career questions.

What is his therapy style like?

He uses a strengths and solution-focused approach that emphasizes practical steps. Sessions tend to be down-to-earth and collaborative, with tools to try between meetings.

How much experience does he have?

He brings 42 years of counseling experience, including work in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and crisis intervention settings.

What credentials and location apply?

He is an LCSW - licensed clinical social worker - practicing in Illinois.

Which languages are supported and can international clients join?

Sessions are offered in English. He is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

Sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire, then schedule according to therapist availability.

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