About me

Let me start off by saying, I admire your braveness for seeking support and your dedication to yourself! Sometimes life can be overwhelming for a variety of reasons or for unknown reasons. It's very common to not feel okay and to not know what to do to make it better. What are your goals and what is in stopping you from reaching them? These are some of the concerns that bring people into counseling. I find Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to be a beneficial technique to help people make changes in their thinking, which ultimately leads to changes in their behaviors. As a therapist, I will not tell you what to do or push my own agenda. Instead, I will challenge your current beliefs and thoughts to give you the confidence and tools to help you help yourself. If you are nervous about starting this process, therapy or counseling does not have a specific look and will be tailored to what you need. Respect, active listening and a nonjudgemental approach are very important factors in building a strong therapeutic rapport.

A little bit about me, I am a clinical social worker who is licensed in the state of Maryland. I earned my Bachelors degree in psychology from James Madison University and my Masters of Social Work (MSW) from University of Maryland. I have over 11 years of experience and have worked in a variety of environments including group homes, schools, psychiatric hospitals, foster care and outpatient clinics. I have worked with clients who have many different needs, so please feel free to be open about what you are experiencing. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, parents and young adults. Depression, mood disorders, life changes, ADHD, anxiety, stress management, behavioral concerns and family issues are some of the reasons that brought people into therapy.

I wish you much success in your journey of becoming the best version of yourself.

Specialties

  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Family conflicts
  • Trauma, Abuse
  • Parenting issues
  • Depression
Also experienced in:
Addictions , Relationship issues , Grief , Anger management , Self esteem , Compassion fatigue , ADHD , Adoption and foster care , Autism and Asperger Syndrome , Caregiver issues and stress , Communication problems , Read more...

Clinical approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Years of Experience: 11

Services offered


  • Messaging

  • Live Chat

  • Phone

  • Video

Licensing

MD LCSW-C 16623

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Lacey Gaters. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.

Written on Oct 30, 2023 after therapy with Lacey for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, and coping with life changes

It feels great connecting with a therapist that listens and understands what I am saying.

Written on Oct 19, 2023 after therapy with Lacey for 1 year and 8 months

I had doubts about online counseling in the beginning, but my daughter wasn't willing to try anything else. To my relief, Lacey Gaters and teen counseling have been exactly what we needed. Lacey has consistently gone above and beyond, working to build trust, help my daughter learn new skills, and work through a range of challenges. She's been a good guide to me, too, as I learn to support my child. There were so many times I was able to say, "Maybe you could talk about this with Lacey," and know that my daughter would get caring, competent, and prompt guidance. My daughter is in a completely different, so much better place, thanks to Lacey, and I truly feel I'm a better parent for her guidance and support, too. Forever grateful!

Written on Apr 20, 2023 after therapy with Lacey for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching

Lacy is great!

Written on Oct 24, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd

Lacey has been awesome! I am thankful for her honesty and I appreciate how she was able to walk me through some of my issues. I have learned a lot about myself and will continue to use the tools she gave me❤️

Written on Sep 20, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue

Lacey is amazing! I love speaking with her as she is extremely helpful.

Written on Sep 20, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 months on issues concerning relationship issues, and coping with life changes

She is q greay listener. She applies critical thinking to help me understand my concerns.

Written on Jul 13, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd

She’s great thoughtful and considerate a pure joy to work with

Written on Jun 26, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 4 months on issues concerning relationship issues

Great at her position

Written on Apr 28, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes

Lacey was amazing. I had several broad areas I wanted to work with her on (self confidence, seeing things in black and white, expectations, being more positive, etc) and she helped me tremendously. I started to become more self aware and see the progress I was making on a weekly basis. I would highly recommend her for depression, anxiety, and fertility struggles. I am now able to enjoy my day to day and be happy with the choices I am making for myself and the ones involving my family. I am so grateful that I was matched with her and that I joined teen counseling. Thank you Lacey!

Written on Apr 28, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, coping with life changes, and career difficulties

Lacey has been very helpful in sorting out my feelings in a variety of topics. I couldn’t have asked for a more caring and empathetic therapist. She always makes sure to check up on me too.

Written on Mar 01, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Lacey has been extremely awesome. She listens and guides me to think and reflect.

Written on Feb 22, 2022 after therapy with Lacey for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd

In the short time we have worked together, Lacey has proven to be a patient, thoughtful, and caring therapist. I am very pleased with the work we've done so far.

Work with me!