About Larissa
Larissa Lau is an AASW social worker who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression and life changes. She uses clear, practical steps and a calm approach to make difficult problems feel more manageable. Lara aims to build a personalised plan with each person she sees.
She keeps language simple and focuses on what can be done next. Lara works with people who are dealing with trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, grief and relationship concerns.
Background and approach
She also supports those facing panic attacks, phobias and feelings of emptiness or isolation. Her practice pays attention to family of origin issues, attachment and multicultural concerns. Her style is collaborative and goal-focused.
Sessions include talking, skills practice and ways to shift unhelpful patterns. She draws on a range of evidence-based techniques and chooses what fits the person and the problem. Lara trained to a Master of Social Work level and has around 10 years of experience in the field.
She describes therapy as a step-by-step process, where progress is built over time and at the client’s pace. People in Australia can work with Lara via video, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. She invites those who are ready to start to complete a short matching questionnaire and book a first session.
Evidence-based approaches for online support
CBT, or cognitive behaviour therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and practising more useful alternatives. It is often used for anxiety, panic and mood difficulties. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take committed action, which can reduce struggles with avoidance and low motivation. Somatic experiencing works with bodily sensations to help people notice and regulate stress responses after trauma or overwhelm.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Lara will discuss different techniques with each person and decide together which methods suit their needs, goals and preferences. This collaborative process means approaches can be adjusted as therapy progresses.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to make therapy easier to fit into daily life. Video is useful for deeper conversations and practising skills, phone works well when bandwidth is limited, live chat or messaging suit quick check-ins or short reflections, and text options allow ongoing written contact between sessions. These formats give flexibility for people who need to work around schedules or who prefer not to meet in person.
Questions people ask
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What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
- Experience
- 10 years
- Licensed
- Languages
- English
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