LCSW, 7 years of experience
New to Grow
Clarissa Laughlin, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Idaho and California who specializes in helping individuals overcome anxiety, depression, PTSD, and related challenges. She integrates evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT, CPT, and solution-focused therapy to help clients identify their needs, strengthen resilience, and foster meaningful personal growth. Before becoming a therapist, Clarissa trained and showed American Quarter Horses—a background that developed her discipline, intuition, and coaching skills. This unique experience enhances her clinical work, allowing her to combine empathy, structure, and a goal-oriented approach to guide clients toward lasting emotional and behavioral change.
The session begins with rapport building. I will greets the client with warmth, introduces themselves, and explains what to expect in SFT: a focus on goals, strengths, and small steps toward meaningful change. They clarify confidentiality and the collaborative nature of therapy. I will invite the client to describe what brought them in without judgment or interruption. They listen empathically, reflecting back both the facts and the underlying emotions. It will be the start of setting solution focused goals that are achievable.
Dedicated to creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment, Clarissa tailors her therapeutic methods to align with each client’s specific circumstances and goals. Her passion lies in fostering self-awareness, motivation, and the tools necessary for individuals to overcome obstacles and thrive in their personal and professional lives.
I take a solution-focused approach, working collaboratively with you to problem-solve and discover the path that aligns with your goals. Our sessions will center on you, as the expert of your own life. I aim to challenge and support you in exploring your thoughts and emotions, empowering you to make more confident and informed decisions.
CBT is effective because it helps clients identify and change distorted thinking patterns that drive unhealthy emotions and behaviors. It’s structured, evidence-based, and goal-oriented, making it ideal for treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related issues. By teaching practical skills—like thought reframing, problem-solving, and emotional regulation—CBT empowers clients to gain control over their responses and make lasting change. It focuses on the “here and now,” producing measurable results in a relatively short time, and gives clients tools they can continue using long after therapy ends.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is effective for trauma because it helps individuals identify and challenge unhelpful beliefs formed after traumatic events. By addressing “stuck points” related to safety, trust, power, control, esteem, and intimacy, CPT reduces guilt, shame, and self-blame that keep trauma symptoms active. It combines cognitive restructuring with exposure to traumatic memories in a structured, evidence-based format. This process allows clients to reframe distorted thoughts, integrate the trauma into their life story, and regain a sense of safety and control. CPT is proven to reduce PTSD symptoms and improve overall functioning and quality of life.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is effective because it helps individuals and couples identify, understand, and transform negative emotional patterns that block connection. Rooted in attachment theory, EFT focuses on creating secure emotional bonds by addressing underlying fears and unmet needs driving conflict or disconnection. Through guided emotional awareness and expression, clients learn to communicate vulnerability instead of defensiveness or withdrawal. This process strengthens trust, empathy, and responsiveness within relationships. Research shows EFT leads to lasting improvements in relationship satisfaction, emotional regulation, and attachment security, making it one of the most effective therapies for couples and attachment-related distress.
ChatGPT said: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is helpful because it teaches clients how to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and build healthier relationships. It combines acceptance and change—helping people validate their feelings while learning new coping strategies. DBT’s structured approach focuses on four key skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now widely used for trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-destructive behaviors. By promoting balance, accountability, and emotional resilience, DBT helps clients gain control over their reactions, reduce crisis behaviors, and create a more stable and fulfilling life.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) is a brief, goal-oriented approach that emphasizes clients’ strengths and resources rather than their problems. It helps individuals envision the future they want and identify small, achievable steps to get there. Instead of exploring past issues, SFT focuses on what’s working and how to build on those successes. Therapists use techniques like the “miracle question” and scaling questions to clarify goals and measure progress. This empowering approach fosters hope, motivation, and practical change by highlighting the client’s ability to create solutions, making it effective for a wide range of challenges and settings.