Larissa Lau, AASW

Larissa Lau prefers to be called Lara. She is an accredited social worker based in Melbourne and holds a Master of Social Work, and she draws on that training to support people facing a range of challenges.

Lara has experience helping individuals navigate stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief and life transitions. Her approach is collaborative and person centred, working with each client to develop a personalised plan that reflects their unique situation and goals. She offers practical guidance alongside therapeutic techniques to help clients move toward meaningful change.

Her practice is grounded in evidence-based methods that emphasise strengths and goal-focused work. Therapeutic tools she uses include counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), ego state or parts therapy, somatic experiencing, clinical hypnotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. Lara aims to tailor these approaches to each person, providing steady support throughout the therapeutic journey and helping clients build skills for a less stressful, more enjoyable life.

Evidence-based techniques for online care

Larissa commonly uses cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to help people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. CBT is practical and structured, and it is often chosen for anxiety, depression and stress-related concerns.

She also works with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which supports people to clarify values, accept difficult internal experiences and take committed action toward meaningful goals. ACT can be useful when life changes, avoidance or chronic worry are getting in the way of living well.

Somatic experiencing is another approach in her toolkit, focusing on bodily sensations and the nervous system to help process stress and trauma in a gradual, resourced way. Appropriately qualified or registered professionals and therapists use these methods to tailor care to each person.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process and will be collaborative. Larissa will work with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences, and adapt techniques as therapy progresses.

Online therapy via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers flexibility and accessibility. It allows people to fit sessions around work, family and other commitments, and to receive consistent support when attending in person is difficult.