Laverne Santangelo , LPC

Laverne Santangelo is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Michigan with a decade of clinical experience and a long history of service in helping professions. She retired from the Army National Guard after 23 years of honorable service and has spent roughly 25 years volunteering and working in roles that support others through life transitions, mental health challenges, and recovery from substance use. Her background combines clinical counseling, life coaching, and yoga-based practices to offer a holistic approach to wellbeing.

Having lived experience with mental health concerns and close exposure to family members and friends affected by addiction, she brings personal insight alongside professional training. She has worked in inpatient treatment settings with people facing substance use disorders, supported families learning about addiction, and provided community mental health services for individuals with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use. She has also created and led groups to help women navigate different seasons of life.

In addition to her LPC credential, she is a certified Wholistic Life Coach and a certified Yoga Teacher with training in trauma-informed yoga. She integrates client-centered planning to develop individualized treatment goals and draws from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and holistic techniques to support stability and growth. Her practice focuses on helping clients find balance across mind, body, and spirit while working toward practical, achievable goals.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support and Growth

Laverne Santangelo uses client-centered therapy to create a supportive space where the client's priorities guide the work; this approach focuses on empathy, respect, and collaborative planning so individuals can explore their goals and values. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is also a central part of her practice and involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and developing practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood-related concerns. Mindfulness therapy complements these methods by teaching present-moment awareness and stress-management skills that can help with emotional regulation, sleep concerns, and coping with life changes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. She works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made. This collaborative stance helps clients feel engaged and empowered in treatment.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for accessibility and scheduling. Sessions can be conducted by video call or phone and can include live chat or text-based messaging for more frequent check-ins or flexible communication. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, family, or other commitments while working with licensed professionals and therapists toward meaningful change.