L M (Loretta) Hartley-Bangs, LISW-CP

L M (Loretta) Hartley-Bangs is a licensed social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. She draws on long experience to offer steady support during hard life changes. Her tone is practical and empathetic, aimed at someone who needs clear help now.

She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, among other approaches, to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. Sessions focus on simple skills people can use between meetings. Loretta also uses client-centered methods to listen first and shape work around each person’s needs.

Her background spans 36 years of practice in South Carolina as a LISW-CP - Licensed Independent Social Worker - Clinical Practice. That experience includes working with caregivers, people dealing with aging issues, women’s concerns, and young adults as they find direction. She has helped people with mood disorders, bipolar symptoms, and post-traumatic stress.

In therapy she addresses family of origin issues, codependency, and communication problems with straight talk and exercises to try at home. Motivational interviewing is used when substance use or readiness for change is part of the work. DBT skills are offered when strong emotions and coping skills are a focus.

Loretta aims to help clients build practical coping tools and clearer thinking. She supports people as they set goals, practice new habits, and track progress over time. The work is collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

How therapy approaches fit into online care

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on noticing thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and improve mood. It is often used for depression, panic, social anxiety, and habits that get in the way of daily life. Client-Centered Therapy centers on being heard and understood first; the therapist follows the person's lead and helps them find their own solutions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication when feelings run high.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work together with each person to choose methods that fit their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative plan can change over time as progress is made and priorities shift.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video works well for face-to-face conversation and skill practice, phone calls can be a simpler option when bandwidth is limited, and chat or text are useful for brief check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These options let people keep consistent care while managing schedules, travel, and daily responsibilities.