Hey, I’m Laura.
This is my approach:
Being human is messy. Life inevitably brings pain, yet our primary goal is to keep living, to find a reason to wake up tomorrow and put our feet on the floor. As a therapist (and as a fellow human), I thrive on embracing life's messiness and pain. In therapy, I value showing up as an equal. I want you to feel that our time together is one of the few places where you can take off the mask, let go of social and societal expectations, and just be yourself.
Daily life is filled with pressures, tensions, fears, and disappointments. Drawing from my own life experiences, as well as my training and certifications as a counselor, we will work together to reframe and reshape how you see yourself, the world, and the potential for change and growth. We have the capacity to create a life that feels truly alive, rather than just operating on autopilot. I encourage you to take that first step into raw and authentic self-exploration, and allow me to accompany you on that journey.
Professional Background:
I hold certifications in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Both are evidence-based treatment approaches that address a wide range of mental health issues and life stressors. Despite these certifications, I consider myself an eclectic therapist, drawing from various philosophies and theories to best meet my clients' needs and goals. I emphasize mindfulness practices and somatic approaches to therapy, which enhance awareness of how our physical state impacts our emotions and sense of well-being (so don’t be afraid to get a little weird!).
I graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 2018 with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My undergraduate degree is in a completely unrelated field—film production—which showcases my love for creativity and my optimism in always exploring new paths in life.
Personal Background:
As I mentioned initially, I am also human! This means I bring my own personal flair and personality to our sessions. I describe myself as an extrovert with a passion for laughter and not taking myself too seriously. I thoroughly believe that if we can laugh at ourselves and recognize that our quirks make us the beautiful and strange human beings we are, life can feel like much less pressure. Finding our place in the world can often bring up feelings of shame, self-doubt, and unhealthy comparisons. I bring a lightness and compassion to sessions that I hope provides you with a chance to be at ease with what it means to be human and to genuinely connect on a human level.
My hobbies and interests include anything outdoors that connects me to my early Homo sapien roots and mother nature. I also love activities involving physical movement and feeling connected to my own body. So much of living is about being in tune with this bag of flesh and bones that carries us along!