About Richard
Richard McGraw is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Missouri with 28 years of experience. He began independent practice in 1997 and has a long history working in law enforcement, child protective services, medical social work, and hospice. He focuses on helping people who are overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, or major life changes.
His style is warm and interactive. He treats people with respect and avoids stigmatizing labels.
Background and approach
Sessions often involve straightforward conversation and practical strategies that fit day-to-day life. Richard uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and change behaviors that get in the way of feeling better. He adapts the plan to each person’s needs and goals instead of using a one-size-fits-all method.
This can include skill-building for coping, problem-solving for relationships, or strategies for managing attention and mood. He has worked with many concerns across life stages, including parenting and blended family issues, abandonment, attachment challenges, caregiver stress, and health-related problems like cancer. He also helps with intimacy, communication, anger, and career decisions.
People who prefer clear, practical guidance and a conversational approach may find his style helpful. He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How CBT and online sessions work together
Richard uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and acting. CBT is practical and goal-focused, and it can help with anxiety, depression, stress, and problems like ADHD or compulsive behaviors.The therapist works collaboratively to find the right approach for each person. He will talk with you about goals, try methods that fit your needs, and adjust plans based on what helps. Figuring out the best fit is an ongoing, team effort between you and the therapist.
Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls let you have face-to-face conversations when meeting in person is hard. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to use video. Live chat and text messaging make it easier to check in between sessions or fit brief conversations into a busy day. These options give flexibility to work on skills, process feelings, and track progress in ways that suit your schedule and comfort.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he address?
What is his therapeutic style like?
How long has he worked in this field?
Where is he licensed and based?
Which languages and regions are supported?
What session formats are available?
How does payment and cost work?
What are the first steps to begin?
Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also works with
- Abandonment
- Addictions
- ADHD
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Anger management
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Bipolar disorder
- Blended family issues
- Cancer
- Career difficulties
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Parenting issues
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self esteem
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Trauma and abuse
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 28 years
- Licensed
- Missouri
- Languages
- English