(she/her)
Hi, I'm Laura, a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Philadelphia. 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 steady support and gently pushing clients to face challenging issues when they are ready.
Clients can expect to feel heard and valued. My aim is to provide a warm and trusting space where you can be your authentic self, confront self-doubt, and take meaningful steps toward the insight or changes you want.
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 wellbeing. I am genuinely interested in getting to know you and believe that your stories are important.
I love working with adults who are excited to learn about themselves and grow mentally and emotionally. Folks I work with often relate to one or more of the following: -You feel deeply, but hesitate to explore or express your emotions. -One or more areas of your life feel overwhelming or unmanageable. -You identify as sensitive or have been labeled as such. -You are self-critical, often beating yourself up or feeling not good enough. -You have a hard time saying "no". -You grew up with emotionally immature parents. -You struggle to set boundaries or identify your needs, leading to disappointing relationships.
To best support the unique individuals with whom I work, I draw from multiple treatment approaches. Utilizing different therapeutic approaches allows me to be flexible and responsive to your individual needs.
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.
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.
CBT is more structured, goal-oriented, and focused on present challenges. I sometimes 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 is a client-centered, collaborative approach designed to help you resolve ambivalence and enhance motivation to change.