Lori Epting, LPC

Welcome! I'm Lori and I specialize in couples dealing with issues around trust, infidelity and addiction. I also provide therapy for individuals and families who are facing issues such as relationship distress, addictive or compulsive behaviors, separation/divorce, blended family issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. I use the highly successful method of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) when working with couples. EFT has extensive research behind it. It has a 75% success rate with 93% of couples reporting that EFT counseling helped their relationship. It is a short-term, structured therapy that typically takes around 8-20 sessions (longer with trauma and addiction recovery). I have gone through the formal training process and use EFT to help couples with reconnection, communication, infidelity, sexual intimacy, trust-building, trauma and navigating recovery from an addiction. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Arizona and North Carolina. Additionally, I am a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and member of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (ICCEFT). I received my Masters of Counseling from Arizona State University's accredited counseling program. I graduated from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a business degree. I completed my internship and continued with eight years of practice at an internationally renowned practice, Psychological Counseling Services (PCS), in Scottsdale, Arizona, where I provided weekly therapy and intensive therapy. PCS is known for its intensive outpatient program for addiction, where I began my niche in helping couples navigate recovery and reconciliation. I focused my professional training on couples and addiction work. I am certified in Advanced Training in Problematic Sexual Behaviors (ATPSB). I have extensive experience in working with families going through the transition of separation and divorce. For 8 years, I was appointed as a mental health expert by the Arizona Family Court to provide therapeutic services for families going through a divorce. I no longer take court appointments, however, I do provide therapy for couples, individuals and families that are dealing with separation or divorce-related issues. I live in Charlotte, NC with my husband of 10 years and my two daughters, ages 3 and 6. When I'm not running around with my kids and spending time with my husband, I enjoy providing marriage advice through my blog, Marriage Sense.

I realize that change is hard. You may be stuck in a pattern behaviors or a mood that despite your best efforts, you can't seem to get out of. Life may have handed some difficult situations that require some extra support and direction. There may be some unresolved trauma and experiences in your past that is making it difficult to experience life the way you truly want. You may be experiencing difficulty in your relationships, and are seeking to work on yourself in an effort to improve some important relationships in your life. You may be unsure of the future of your relationship or other major decisions and need a safe, judgment-free place to sort out your feelings and thoughts. No matter the case, you would join millions of other people who seek out therapy every single day to get out of distress. We all feel distressed at times and if our best efforts aren't working, why not seek the help of professionals - professionals that spend hundreds of hours training from the best minds in the world - to help improve the lives of others? There is no shame in that. In fact, it makes complete sense! Therapy is a powerful way to face your distress in a safe, compassionate, judgment-free, supportive way. Providing a safe space for you to walk into your distress and face some potentially tough feelings is the most important part of my job. However, the work doesn't stop there. While you are likely coming to therapy for support, your probably want some direction and guidance too. I have worked and trained at some of the most renowned places in the country. This has given me a wide-variety of experiences, tools and methods I use in my every-day practice. We will work together to determine your treatment goals and the treatment plan that is most effective for you. If you are unsure of your next steps and would like to talk with me before scheduling a session, we can set up a free 20-minute consultation by phone.

I specialize in working with couples who are trying to navigate betrayal, infidelity and addiction. I have extensive experience working with both the individual struggling with addiction and their partner. I work well with couples to help rebuild trust and intimacy, whether the relationship has slowly disconnected or they are facing the crisis of an earth-shattering betrayal. I am also skilled at helping partners who have difficulty accessing their emotions in a vulnerable and connecting way.