LCSW, 25 years of experience
New to Grow
My name is Laura Kohley, and I received my Doctorate in Social Work in 2023 from the University of Southern California and a Master’s in Social Work in 2000 from Simmons School of Social Work in Boston, MA. Over the past 25 years, I have provided compassionate support to individuals and families navigating mental health and special health care needs. My work is grounded in cognitive-behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, with a focus on helping clients build resilience, achieve personal goals, and enhance their quality of life. I specialize in supporting children, adolescents, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism, learning disabilities, life transitions, family conflict, adoption-related issues, and parenting challenges. I have extensive experience working with individuals who are dually diagnosed, as well as with their caregivers, ensuring that both clients and families receive the tools and guidance they need. My background also includes writing and implementing behavioral support plans and providing training to families and staff to create supportive and effective environments for growth.
In our first session, my goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel comfortable sharing your story. We’ll spend time getting to know each other and talking about what brought you to therapy, what challenges you’re facing, and what you hope to achieve. I’ll ask questions to better understand your background, strengths, and goals, and I’ll explain how I work so you know what to expect. Together, we’ll begin to identify priorities for our time and start shaping a plan that feels realistic and supportive. The first session is less about “fixing” everything right away and more about building trust, understanding your needs, and laying the foundation for meaningful progress.
My greatest strengths include my ability to meet clients where they are emotionally and create a safe, nonjudgmental space for healing and growth. I bring a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, client-centered, and strengths-based approach, which means I focus on understanding your unique story, honoring your background, and building on your existing strengths. With over 25 years of experience, I combine compassion with practical strategies to help clients navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism, learning disabilities, family conflict, adoption, parenting, and life transitions. My goal is always to empower clients and families to discover new possibilities, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.
My ideal client is someone who is ready for support in navigating life’s challenges and open to working collaboratively toward growth and change. They may be experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism, learning disabilities, or challenges related to family conflict, adoption, parenting, or major life transitions. They might feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of how to move forward, but they are motivated to explore new strategies, gain insight, and build resilience. Whether an individual, child, adolescent, or family, my ideal client values a safe, compassionate space where their goals are respected, and they are empowered to create meaningful changes in their lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, evidence-based treatment that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In practice, CBT is utilized to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge and reframe them, and develop healthier behaviors. Psychoeducation, skill-building, and homework are used in treatment to apply strategies in real-life situations. I have used CBT with clients suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and other behavioral health concerns. It is collaborative and client-centered, time-limited, and equips clients with practical tools they can continue to use after therapy ends.
I have utilized family therapy as a counseling approach that focuses on improving communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening relationships within the family system. It helps members understand how their interactions affect one another, addresses patterns that contribute to problems, and builds healthier ways of coping and supporting each other. It is often used for issues such as conflict, parenting challenges, mental health concerns, substance use, and life transitions.
I utilize strengths-based therapy that focuses on clients’ existing skills, resources, and resilience rather than problems or deficits. It empowers individuals to build on their strengths to overcome challenges, achieve goals, and enhance well-being.
Implementing mindfulness-based therapy has helped clients focus on the present moment with openness and acceptance, reducing stress and negative thinking patterns. It teaches awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations to improve coping, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
I utilize motivational interviewing (MI) to create a collaborative counseling approach that helps clients explore and resolve ambivalence about change. It emphasizes empathy, active listening, and guiding clients to strengthen their own motivation and commitment to making positive life changes.