Steady Support Through Individual & Couples Counseling

“Lawrence has been an incredible support to me in both individual counseling and in couples counseling with my wife. He’s an exceptional listener—patient, present, and genuinely attentive—and he responds in a thoughtful way that feels grounded in real experience. You can tell his perspective is informed by working with a deep and diverse range of clients, and he draws from that breadth without ever making the sessions feel generic. He creates a steady, respectful space where we I can be honest, communicate more clearly, and keep making progress. I’m truly grateful for his guidance and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled, compassionate therapist.”

Fresh Perspective, Fast Progress

“Lawrence has helped me overcome so many challenges in a short few months. He always offers a fresh new perspective and solutions to issues I discuss and I always feel heard after sessions! 10/10”

Clinical Expertise Meets Genuine Compassion

“What we should seek in a therapist might seem similar to what we’d seek in a friend. But therapy isn’t simply talking or listening. It is active, often difficult work. While Lawrence is certainly a warm, empathetic, and open-minded person, he is also an experienced and extraordinarily-skilled therapist.

Lawrence has guided insight and shared strategies with me in ways that are compassionate and relatable – creating a process that is both, rooted in clinical expertise and responsive to my needs as an individual. To anyone thinking about starting or continuing with therapy, I highly recommend Lawrence and his team at Breakthrough Solutions.”

Concrete Tools That Actually Work

“I was referred by a friend to Lawrence and have been extremely happy. Lawrence is easy to talk to, very empathetic, and provides concrete methods/frameworks to help you work on yourself. I have done therapy / counseling in the past but I feel I have had the most success with Lawrence and his approach. Definitely 5 stars!”

Professional, Reliable, and Truly Impactful

“I can’t say enough good things about Lawrence. He is professional, reliable, and impactful.
It’s hard for me to imagine someone who wouldn’t grow and thrive with Lawrence’s help. He can help anyone.
Sessions with Lawrence are so productive. He listens intently and offers thoughtful advice specific to your situation. His approach to therapy is comprehensive. We talk about getting healthy in every single aspect of life.
Lawrence will guide you, reflect with you, cheer you on, and help you correct course when needed.

If you’re looking to make a change, you need someone to talk to, and if you’re ready for growth and wellness, you’re in the right place!”

Real Progress in Communication

“Lawrence has been an amazing asset to my relationship with my partner. Our communication with one another has made leaps in progress.”

A Judgment-Free Space to Grow Together

“Most people don’t like the idea of therapy. The thought of having someone know some of your inner thoughts and feelings can be scary. I can say Lawrence breaks the barrier by effectively listening, giving helpful advice and tools to help you. My husband and I are grateful for his advice and tools that helps us affectively communicate and work together. We are truly growing not only together but individually so we can be the best possible version of ourselves for one another. All thanks to Lawrence! He has a real gift for counseling people and you can tell he really cares about his clients. He makes it easy to talk to him about anything; judgement free zone. That alone definitely makes you feel at ease. I recommend anyone to him that is looking to be heard, understood, and receive help. Thank you Lawrence for all that you do!”

The Right Choice for a First-Time Client

“This is the first time I’ve ever had a therapist and I must say choosing Lawrence was the best decision I could’ve made!”

Safe From Day One, No Judgment

“I have the distinct pleasure of having Lawrence as my therapist. He is not only knowledgeable about handling life’s most serious issues; but, also how to make you laugh when laughter is needed. He listens, he takes his time, he cares genuinely about the WHOLE person (mind, body and spirit). He considers every angle, he asks the hard questions, he gives practical insight and allows room for expression. I have felt safe with Lawrence from DAY ONE. No judgement, complete honesty and guidance that is productive for long term results. If you are looking for someone that is like your best cousin that you can tell ANYTHING to and not feel like you’re gambling the most sacred parts of you-Try Lawrence or either of the therapists that are affiliated with Breakthrough. You will see the difference it makes in your life.”

Support Through the Postpartum Journey

“Great experience working with Lawrence so far! He’s a wonderful listener and has been so helpful working with me through some issues, especially during my postpartum phase. Highly recommend!”

Seeking a Black Male Therapist Who Understood Us

“I was looking for a couples therapist when I came across Breakthrough Solutions. I was specifically looking for a black male therapist, as I wanted someone who could relate to my Fiancé.

We started sessions with Deran about two months ago. From the very first session I was confident I made the right choice. The conversation flows seamlessly during sessions, he’s a great listener, and gives objective feedback.

Deran has been extremely helpful in the process of improving our relationship. He’s very personable, relatable, and easy to talk to.

The comfort in the couples sessions allowed me to begin seeing him for individual therapy. That is a testament to how good he is as I never thought I’d like have a male therapist for individual therapy but he’s helped me the most thus far.”

Deep Listening, Genuine Care

“Lawrence is an incredible therapist who creates a safe, supportive space for personal growth. He listens deeply, offers insightful guidance, and genuinely cares. I’ve experienced significant progress with his help and highly recommend him to anyone seeking effective, compassionate therapy.”

Breaking Old Patterns Before the Wedding

“Before our wedding, my partner and I decided to try pre-marital counseling. We used to fight about the same issues over and over again, without any progress. Lawrence helped us see the root of our problems. He helped us really understand each other better and move forward with tangible solutions. He creates a safe, understanding, and unbiased space. I would highly recommend using Lawrence for couples counseling.”

Well Prepared for Our Upcoming Marriage

“Lawrence has been a huge help for our pre-marital counseling. My fiance and me feel well prepared for our upcoming marriage. We definitely recommend using his services.”

Making It Easier to Open Up

“Lawrence is a great counselor! He makes my fiancé and I feel comfortable with discussing our issues, which is really hard for us to open up. He takes the time time to listen, understand our concerns and works with us to solve our issues. Within a short period of time we not only made progress within our relationship but also within ourselves. We have a long way to go but, this has been a great experience so far. I look forward to going to my sessions each and every time, as it leaves me feeling optimistic. Highly recommended.”

From Resistant to Grateful

“I must say I was very resistant to the idea of couples and individual counseling. That I have committed to the process. I have seen such great results within myself. I want to thank Breakthrough Solutions and personally thank Lawrence.”

A True Gem in the World of Therapy

“Lawrence has been nothing short of a lifesaver. From the very first session, it was clear that we were in the hands of a compassionate and highly skilled professional. He created a safe, non-judgmental space where both of us felt heard, respected, and understood. His insights and guidance have been instrumental in helping us navigate through some of our most challenging moments, and he equipped us with practical tools and strategies to improve our communication and strengthen our relationship.
What sets him apart is his ability to truly understand the unique dynamics of our marriage. Lawrence doesn’t just provide cookie-cutter advice, he really digs deep to address the root of our issues. The progress we’ve made together feels authentic and sustainable.
We are grateful for the transformation that has taken place in our marriage and can’t recommend Lawrence enough for anyone seeking to enhance their bond and find continued happiness together. He is a true gem in the world of therapy!”

Feeling Confident Through Life’s Highs and Lows

“Ashley has been phenomenal. She makes me feel comfortable to share and feel confident about navigating low moments and celebrating the high moments. I look forward to our sessions and highly recommend.”

Helping Clients Lead With Confidence

“When I started working with Lawrence-I was hoping to strengthen my communication and stay true to my core values. Very quickly, I realized that Lawrence is a master at his craft—and I don’t say that lightly. As we work through both personal and professional topics, his insights are consistently spot-on. He listens deeply, validates my experiences, and helps me navigate challenges with greater confidence. I leave each session feeling clearer, and better able to lead from a place of strength. I consider myself grateful and fortunate to be working with him.”

Useful Guidance, Genuinely Appreciated

“Lawrence listens actively and attentively. Provides very useful information and resources to all situations you are seeking further guidance on. Truly appreciate the knowledge shared thus far!”

Practical, Measurable Progress

“Working with Mr. Lovell, you get the impression that your input plays a significant part in the game plan set in place for you or your family. Together goals are made that are both practical and measurable. Feedback is given in a thoughtful manner. He is a good communicator, active listener and good note taker. Previous sessions are woven into present sessions which makes sessions cohesive. Mr. Lovell is definitely someone I would recommend to others.”

Kind, Compassionate, and Professional

“Lawrence is a great listener. Kind, compassionate, caring and professional. He will help you solve your problems and make you reflect inwardly, giving you enough space to do so.”

Connection That Transcends the Screen

“Lawrence give a modern sensibility to the age old problem of us understanding ourselves and others. It feels good speaking to someone who you just know does indeed understand what you’re going through. In our modern times zoom is the method of connecting with him but, in short time the barrier of of screen and technology melt away and you’re working with someone who is all about helping us get closer to the best version of ourselves. 5 stars!”

A Year of Life-Altering Growth

“I’ve been going to Lawrence for almost a year. He has helped me through so many life altering moment this last year and it’s so clear that he cares so much about what he does and really takes the time to know and remember what’s going on in his clients’ lives. You won’t regret going to see him! ☺️”

A Therapist Who Understood My Culture and Generation

“Lawrence has been an exceptional Mental Health Therapist. When I first sought out a therapist I was looking for someone who is familiar with my culture and more importantly within my age group. Lawrence understood my difficulties that I was going through. And, he has provided me an outlet and a place where I can speak my truths and understand how to deal with them effectively. I would highly recommend anyone who is possibly looking for a therapist that is rational, makes you think and helps you to understand how to overcome and be successful in your Mental Health. Then Breakthrough Solutions is the place to be.”

Confidence and Tools to Cope

“Working with Lawrence has been an an amazing journey for me! He is caring and thoughtful. He gave me the confidence and tools to cope during difficult times.”

A Safe Space to Push Through Challenges

“Lawrence provides a safe space and an outlet to successfully work on your own self development. He has helped me push through challenges in ways I could not have done on my own.”

From Skeptical to Transformed

“After a year of counsel with another therapist that yielded no results, I switched my son to Lawrence. From the very first session, I received the distinct impression that he genuinely cares about his patients but entered the process hesitantly. I don’t know this guy! And, I didn’t want to create unrealistic expectations. I am fully aware that therapy can be a painstakingly long process. But then, IT happened. What is “it”? Therapy MAGIC. Lawrence is a counseling sorcerer that goes into the heads of his clients, untangles thoughts and puts those convoluted messes into the words you wanted to say, but didn’t have the vocabulary or insight to express, in a supportive environment. He offers solutions to problems you didn’t know you had, AND, he knows his stuff. There’s a shelf of psychology books that lines the side of his office. It isn’t there just for show. Not only has he read those books, but, on a number of occasions, has been able to reach over in the middle of a group therapy session, pull out a single book, flip to a page and find the exact excerpt that applies to my situation. How?!? Magic. Lawrence gives his full effort during each session, even at 8pm when we’re half asleep, and expects the same from us. This is acceptable because his energy is contagious. It’s been approximately two months and I’ve noted significant behavioral changes. Part of me doesn’t want to write this review because people are catching on. It’s becoming more difficult to book appointments, but, this is my way of saying, thank you for transforming my life.”

Healing and Moving Forward Through Loss

“Working with Lawrence has been transformative for me. I started sessions with him during a really hard time in my life dealing with my mom’s passing and he walked me through a process that I feel has really helped heal me and move forward. Since then, I have been going to Lawrence on a weekly basis and have seen how our sessions have allowed me to take new steps in my life. Lawrence is extremely thoughtful and will literally tie things together from a million sessions ago. He is always challenging me to take a step back and see situations through a different lens. It also helps that he has a great personality and sense of humor.”

Uncovering Patterns, Building Self-Understanding

“Lawrence has been counseling me for a few months and I’ve seen a positive change in my mental health and life. Lawrence helped me identify negative traits/characteristics that I was essentially unaware of. I believe that Breakthrough Solutions is an amazing service for those seeking support, wellness, and/or a better understating of themselves.”

Support Through a Difficult Transition

“I met with Lawrence during a really rough patch – I’d recently gone off some medication and was having a really hard time navigating the emotional void that it left behind. Lawrence was able to recognize and help me work through some of the issues I was having, and gave me some helpful pointers for a few other aspects of my personal life. He’s kind, he’s sharp and he obviously cares about his patients.”

A Better Trajectory for Our Relationship

“After working with Lawrence in just a few a sessions, I’ve felt more optimistic about the outcome of our relationship than I have in many months. We finally have more common ground to have conversations and communicate more effectively. I would definitely say that working with him has changed our trajectory for the better and that we are in a better place now than we were before working with him.”

An Impact I Never Thought Possible

“Lawrence has made an impact in my life I never thought was possible over the past year. I cannot express my gratitude. He is knowledgeable and courteous throughout. I recommend his remarkable work!”

Captivating a Corporate Audience on Mental Health

“Lawrence was engaged at Henry Schein to conduct a webinar series on mental health. He was thoughtful, thorough, and engaging! Throughout the series he broached many tough topics in such a professional and meaningful way. He captivated audiences throughout the organization! His series garnered the highest viewership at that time. I would definitely engage Lawrence for future workplace mental health workshops! He truly understands how to message appropriately in corporate settings.”

One of the Best Seminars I’ve Attended

“Lawrence’s Anger seminar at St. Johns University was one of the best seminars I’ve been to. Lawrence taught us so much about how to control our anger and open up about what we can do when we get angry. You could honestly see the passion for his job through his words and by his examples of keeping relationships strong. One example would be stretching bands that could break or come back together depending on how far you pull them to reflect how anger can affect relationships! I highly recommend his seminars to anyone who has struggled with anger.”

– Breanna Moreno, Student, St. John’s University

Practical Tools for Housing-Insecure Youth

“Lawrence exudes professionalism with a seamless relatability that makes it so easy for our young people at Safe Horizon to receive his message. Being a program that works with young people who are unstably housed and homeless, mental health is something that is rarely touched upon. Lawrence’s approach to the work was very much practical to the needs of our young people and gave them tangible skills to manage anger, stress and their communication skills.”

– Sebastien Vante, Safe Horizon

Techniques I Still Use Every Day

“I learned so many fantastic techniques that can be practiced in everyday life. One of them , which has had the biggest impact on me was to acknowledge that you’re angry and then in a clear mindset, develop a decision to express your anger with a positive response. One thing Lawrence pointed out was “don’t let your anger make you do something that you will regret.” Therefore, for myself I get angry and try to hide my emotions till I explode, which causes an action that I will usually regret. Now I acknowledge the “why?” I am angry , cool off, and then analyze the situation, which I did not realize this was a problem until Lawrence pointed it out. Reflecting on his lecture helped me see my mistake of how I handle anger, and now practicing his techniques I see an improvement in my personal life when I am confronted with anger.

Again, thank you for the amazing lecture! I truly keep my notes in sacred place! Hope to see you soon on the St. John’s Campus!”

– Kimberly Balderas, Peer Mentor, St. John’s University

An Unforgettable Keynote at Our First Graduation

“Thank you so much for agreeing to be our key note speaker at our very first Graduation Ceremony. This gives you a special place in the Riverdale Avenue Community family! We appreciate your time and dedication to our students!”

– Meghan Dunn, Principal, PS 446

A Passionate Leader Igniting Change

“Lawrence Lovell is a dedicated, passionate, and charismatic leader who has proven time and time again how important mental health is. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and learning so much from Lawrence and his many experiences that have brought him to where he is now. He is someone who I believe is making a great difference that we, in this day and age, need very much. His commitment to people and their well-being is more than evident, and I know that firestarter within him will ignite the change needed to guide us to a place of mental stability and self-love.”

– Lynnsie Augustin, Brooklyn Public Library

An Interactive Workshop, Not a Lecture

“My favorite part of the Anger Workshop is how interactive it is. It’s not set up like  a lecture hall, Lawrence gives participants the opportunity to share personal experiences and  examples of how we each  deal with anger. Also hearing other people talk about how they experience and cope with anger really helped to normalize our experiences.  He has a unique ability to really energize a group through a  very practical, informative, and interactive workshop. Lawrence is very relatable, engaging and informative! I learned so many techniques that I will apply to my life and share. Lawrence’s facilitating skills are amazing. It was a dope workshop! No Brochure talk!”

– Kalvin Wilson, Anger Workshop Participant 

A Talk That Changed How I Support Others

“I’m so thankful that Mr. Lovell spoke at our Organization and Administration class at Stony Brook University. I have a past athlete who has become a good friend of mine who is going through a hard time and I have asked them before if they have thought about suicide. Sometimes I don’t handle the situation with them the best that I can and I lose my patience with their constant negativity, but I appreciate the advice you gave to us that day as I learned how to better handle the situation. Throughout your talk I was thinking about them and I just want to say thank you.”

– Student, Athletic Training Program, Stony Brook University

A Decade of Dedication to the Community

“He is one of the most driven, dedicated, honest and compassionate people to cross my path. He has a phenomenal track record when it comes to accomplishing any goal that he sets his intentions on. Not just because of his exceptional work ethic but his devotion to making our community a better place for the future leaders of tomorrow.

I have known Lawrence for over ten years. He has always been the person to motivate and inspire anyone who has had the honor to be in his presence. He is an agent of change and a modernized clinician who’s in touch with the needs of our community. He has a unique skill set that allows him to take experience and creatively turn theory into practice. I am beyond confident his clients are in the right hands. Lawrence is committed to making our community a better place for the future leaders of tomorrow.”

– Nadia Edwards, Juvenile Justice Advocate

Bringing Mental Health Back to the Conversation on Athletic Training

“Being Stony Brook’s Athletic Training Program’s  last guest lecturer of the semester, I can say Lawrence Lovell was the best one. Mental health is a large part of athletic training. We take it for granted because it seems we focus on so much orthopedically, that we forget about the mental health of our student athletes and how it affects the overall environment. I appreciate Lawrence taking the trek back to visit and speak at his alma mater. Thank you!”

– Marissa Eng, Athletic Training Program Student, Stony Brook University

“A Confident Young Man Bound for Great Impact

“Lawrence is a member of the Young Men of Character mentors program and he is a strong confident young man who knows where he’s going and how he’s gonna make a great impact! With a smooth and positive attitude, he’ll be an asset to any endeavor he chooses to be a part of, and a winner on any winning team!”

– Toney Lee,  CEO of TSRI Music Media

A Partnership Driven by Passion and Purpose

“I have had the privilege of working with and being in partnership with Lawrence for several years. It has been an honor to work with and to be associated with him. The driving force behind his high level of effectiveness is his passion and desire to see others progress and to overcome their current circumstance or situation. It is with supreme confidence and commitment that choosing to work with and to partner with Lawrence will make a significant and positive impact on achieving one’s goal, objective or mission.”

– Greg Jones, Sr., Young Men of Character

Three Years of Bringing Mental Health to the Athletic Training Classroom

“For the past three years Lawrence Lovell has been a valuable guest speaker for a class titled “Organization and Administration for the Athletic Trainer” at Stony Brook University. As a former football player at the University, Lawrence has always appreciated the role of the athletic trainer not only dealing with physical ailments, but also with the psychological and emotional well being of the patient and the health care professional. His mental health presentations have been educational, inspirational and motivational. Lawrence’s enthusiasm is conveyed to the audience in a healthy delivery. The message is well received by these young future health care professionals. Mental health is an area that many times is overlooked in health related curriculum’s. We are very fortunate to have Lawrence s expertise and his willingness to share it with us in such a professional manner. We look forward to his annual visit…”