Laura Duran
I have worked in diverse mental health settings and have been practicing therapy since 2015. I am the oldest daughter of immigrants and a first generation college graduate. From a very young age I felt the weight of expectations put on to me by my family, society, and my culture. I became very good at taking on roles that were not mine, and quickly burned myself out. It wasn’t until graduate school that I really allowed myself to explore the root of my unhappiness. I needed to stop doing for everyone else and finally make myself the priority; I mattered too.
While everyone is unique, I have found that clients typically start making measurable progress after our first 4-6 sessions together.
I now enjoy empowering individuals to find their voice and discover the freedom that comes with letting go of past hurt and behaviors that no longer serve them, and finally pursue the life they’ve always wanted.
First session
I tailor therapy to your individual needs, goals, and preferences. You will be met with warmth, compassion, and understanding throughout every step of your process. We can focus on smaller goals at first, or we can dig deeper, it will be entirely up to you.
Strengths
My approach to therapy is one of warm and supportive empathy. I believe in validating your current journey in a space that is caring, safe, free from judgement. However, you can expect to be challenged! I am down to earth and show up authentically in our sessions so that you know you have a space where you can be open and honest.
Ideal clients
As a therapist, I specialize in working with individuals who are ready to tackle their emotional challenges and improve their overall well-being. My clients are ready to make positive changes in their lives and leave behind patterns of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. They're eager to find a balance between success and happiness, and they're seeking a safe and affirming space to do so.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Together we will explore belief systems that no longer serve you and will work to establish healthier more realistic beliefs.
Trauma-Informed Care
My approach to therapy is to provide you with a safe and gentle space to explore your experiences and reactions. Together, we can work towards helping you reconnect with your emotions and learn to accept them. My goal is to support you in developing emotional regulation skills and self-care strategies, so you can better cope with difficult emotions and experiences.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy looks to address faulty beliefs and thoughts related to your trauma and reframe them to a more balanced and realistic place in hope of healing from "stuck" traumatic memories. This can be beneficial for individuals who experience trauma in a more cognitive and thought based experience.
Somatic
In my practice I help clients identify their physical symptoms and find regulation skills that help reduce their overall distress. It can be very difficult to change our thinking if our body is screaming at us that something is wrong, so learning to quite the physical noise can be the best course of action.
Location
Virtual sessions