Dr. Lia Willis, LCSW

Dr. Lia Willis welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, career pressures, relationship strain, grief, or major life changes. She introduces simple, practical steps people can take right away to make daily life feel more manageable. Dr. Willis is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in Missouri with two decades of experience.

She favors clear, direct conversations where a person’s goals guide the work. Sessions focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real-life experience. That approach helps people notice what works and what gets in the way of change.

Dr. Willis also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients clarify values and take action on what matters most. Client-centered methods mean she listens first and adapts to each person’s pace. Together the client and therapist map small steps toward steadier routines and better coping.

Her background includes work with people facing addiction, trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, caregiver stress, and issues tied to adoption and foster care. She has experience supporting those dealing with chronic illness, aging and end-of-life concerns, and a wide range of relationship and family-of-origin struggles.

Sessions can include practical exercises, thought records, values work, and short skill-building practices to try between meetings. The focus is on usable tools and steady progress rather than lengthy labels or tests.

Dr. Willis aims to be a steady partner for people ready to take steps toward clearer thinking and more purposeful living. She meets clients where they are and helps them plan concrete next steps.

How CBT and ACT translate to online care

CBT helps people notice patterns of thinking that increase distress and then practice different, more helpful ways of thinking and acting. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and work or relationship difficulties. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and committing to small actions that move a person toward a meaningful life while accepting uncomfortable feelings that may come up. Client-centered therapy centers on listening, empathy, and adjusting the pace to the person's needs, which helps people feel heard and understood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide whether CBT techniques, ACT-based values work, or a client-centered pace fits best. They check in over time and adapt methods based on progress, needs, and personal preferences.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different days and schedules. Video works well for detailed conversations and skill practice; phone calls can be a simpler check-in when bandwidth or being on camera isn't ideal. Live chat and text messaging are useful for quick reflections, brief coaching, or ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or busy routines while keeping the work collaborative and focused on practical change.