LPCTherapists

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Practical, accepting counseling for life stressors

Justin Cross, LPC

9 years in practice · based in Virginia · sessions in English · 6 methods listed · online only

JC Portrait of Justin Cross

About Justin

Justin Cross greets people with a steady, practical approach. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor who practices in Virginia and focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, grief, depression, trauma, and addiction. He keeps language simple and aims to make sessions feel straightforward and useful.

He uses a person-centered way of working. That means he starts by listening and accepting where someone is now before suggesting changes. That attitude helps people feel seen and respected when they talk about guilt, shame, or overwhelming emotions.

Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be on BetterHelp.

Background and approach

Justin also uses cognitive behavioral methods to identify unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. Those tools are taught in clear steps so clients can practice them between sessions. He draws on motivational interviewing when people are unsure about change, helping them find personal reasons to move forward.

Before counseling, he spent nearly seven years as a hospice medical social worker. He also holds master’s degrees in counseling and in theology, which shape his calm presence and interest in meaning and values. Those experiences inform how he responds to grief and trauma.

Sessions are geared toward immediate concerns and gradual progress. Justin aims to make therapy practical - helping people reduce distress, learn coping skills, and set manageable goals. He works with people on relationship strain, parenting stress, anger, ADHD-related struggles, and obsessive or compulsive concerns.

Overall, his style is direct and accepting. He tries to balance empathy with hands-on tools so clients leave with things they can use right away.

How Justin blends practical approaches for online care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on values and small actions. It helps people notice what matters most and take steps toward that, even when uncomfortable feelings are still present. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and teaches clear strategies to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. Motivational Interviewing helps when someone feels unsure about change by exploring personal reasons and building internal motivation.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Justin listens to goals and challenges, then suggests methods that fit a person’s needs and preferences. He checks in as therapy goes on and adjusts methods so the plan stays useful and doable.

Online therapy options include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week. Video is useful for in-depth conversations and practicing skills on camera. Phone sessions can be a better fit when bandwidth is limited or a quieter conversation is needed. Chat and text messaging give shorter check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or a way to communicate without scheduling a full call.
Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be on BetterHelp.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does Justin address?

He works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, compassion fatigue, addictions, relationship and family issues, parenting strain, anger, ADHD, and related concerns like guilt, shame, OCD, post-traumatic stress, and social anxiety.

What is his general approach in sessions?

He follows a person-centered approach to start, offering acceptance and listening first, then uses practical techniques such as cognitive behavioral strategies and motivational interviewing to help people change thoughts and behaviors.

How long has he practiced counseling?

He has nine years of experience working in counseling and related roles, including prior work as a hospice medical social worker.

Where is he licensed and based?

He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Virginia.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English and he is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats does he offer online?

He works through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different needs and schedules.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I start a first appointment?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on therapist availability.