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?
Our first session is about information-gathering and building rapport. You can expect a brief discussion about what brought you to therapy, and what, if any, expectations or goals you have. I will describe my approach and the process of working together. I will be an open book if you have questions.
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.
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. What we experience growing up carries through into adulthood, and so exploring the past is crucial to understanding and better navigating current difficulties.
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.