About
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
About Mark
Mark Laster is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-R, based in New York with 12 years of clinical experience. He works with adults facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, bipolar mood concerns, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, anger, and life changes. He also focuses on aging and geriatric issues, caregiver stress, hearing-impaired concerns, men's issues, and multicultural and traumatic brain injury matters.
He starts by quickly assessing what a person needs. That assessment guides which resources and steps come next. Sessions aim to be practical and goal-oriented, with a focus on workable solutions rather than lengthy theory. Mark uses straightforward conversation to clarify problems and identify manageable next steps.
His listening style comes from client-centered work. That means he centers the sessions on the person in front of him and follows their lead when setting goals. He also draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Solution-focused strategies are used to build immediate, practical changes a person can try between sessions.
People looking for help with caregiver strain, midlife transitions, or coping after trauma will find an emphasis on problem solving and resource connection. He pays attention to cultural context and practical barriers that affect daily life. Sessions are aimed at reducing urgent stress and creating clearer plans for next steps.
Before a first appointment he usually completes a quick assessment to understand priorities. That helps shape how many sessions might be useful and which approaches to emphasize. The goal is steady, manageable progress rather than sweeping promises.
How sessions work
How his approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person's lead. Online sessions using this approach center on the adult's concerns and priorities and adjust pace and topics to what matters right now. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going. Online CBT often involves brief exercises, practical homework, and checking progress between meetings. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, immediate changes and next steps. It helps people identify what is already working and build on it quickly.Choosing a therapeutic approach is part of the work together. He will collaborate with the client to decide which methods to try first and will adjust based on results and preferences. That means sessions can shift emphasis if a person needs more direct skills practice, resource planning, or problem-solving support.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting meetings into a busy day and making check-ins easier to schedule. Before booking, confirm which session formats are currently offered since the biography does not list them. Online work can make it simpler to follow up on homework, maintain momentum between visits, and access a licensed professional from where you are without reshuffling major parts of the day.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, bipolar mood concerns, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, anger, career changes, and coping with life transitions.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a client-centered approach and focuses on practical solutions. Cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused strategies are used to set clear, manageable goals.
How much experience does he have?
He has 12 years of clinical experience working with adults and older adults on a range of concerns.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW-R, licensed in New York and practices from that location.
Are sessions available in other languages or internationally?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats does he offer?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.