Hi, I'm Laura, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 6 years of clinical experience. I help motivated adults navigate anxiety and distress, explore and process traumatic or upsetting experiences, and develop skills in self-expression, assertive communication, and boundary setting. I am direct but compassionate - I recognize the balance between providing support and gently pushing clients to face challenging issues when they are ready.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Clients can expect to feel truly heard, trusted, and encouraged. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe to be yourself, challenge self-doubt, and take meaningful steps toward a more self-assured version of you.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am candid, engaged, and sensitive to the needs of those who I work with. I have specialized knowledge of trauma, meaning that I can recognize and address the complex, often hidden, impacts of these experiences on a client's emotional and psychological well-being. I am genuinely interested in getting to know you and believe that your stories are important.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I love working with adults who are excited about the idea of learning about themselves and becoming mentally and emotionally healthier. Folks I work with may identify with any or all of these: -You FEEL a lot, but are hesitant, fearful, or unable to express or explore those feelings -You have one or more aspect of your life that feels unmanageable -You are sensitive (whether that is self-identified or you have been labeled as such) -You are self-critical and tend to beat yourself up or put yourself down -You feel hesitant or scared of change -You have people-pleasing tendencies and have a hard time saying "no" -You struggle to set boundaries with others and to express your needs, resulting in disappointing relationships -You grew up with emotionally immature parents and continue to feel unheard
About Laura Finestone
Identifies as
Specializes in
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Integrative
To best support the unique individuals with whom I work, I draw from multiple treatment approaches. I will always view your stories through a trauma-sensitive lens, and I most frequently draw from psychodynamic and family systems models, and integrate psycho-education, as well. Utilizing different therapeutic approaches allows me to be flexible and responsive to your individual needs.
Psychoeducation
I use psycho-education to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are interconnected, and how factors like trauma, anxiety, or stress affect mental health. Building this kind of understanding can be validating and empowering, helping to reduce feelings of shame, confusion, or isolation.
Psychodynamic
A psychodynamic approach aims to explore the deeper emotional roots of the issues that you might be facing. This means that we will explore your past relationships, family dynamics, and significant life events with the goal of 'connecting the dots' between past and present.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is more structured, goal-oriented, and focused on present challenges. I use this approach to help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns, and make small behavioral changes. Breaking problems down into more manageable parts can reduce anxiety and avoidance, and bring a sense of accomplishment and hope.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered, collaborative approach designed to help you resolve ambivalence and enhance motivation to change. I might use this framework to reinforce your strengths as well as help you recognize the gap between current behaviors and your personal goals or values.