Laura Eriksson
Hello, I'm Laura Eriksson and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I’m a California native and proud to call Sonoma County home. Growing up here has given me a deep appreciation for the beauty, character, and complexity of this community—and for the resilience of the people who call it home. I feel fortunate to have spent much of my life witnessing the strength, humor, and perseverance that can emerge through life’s inevitable challenges.
My goal isn’t to tell you who you should be; it’s to help you better understand yourself so you can make choices that feel more authentic and meaningful.
First session
My hope is that you leave our first session feeling comfortable, heard, and confident that we’re a good fit. We’ll take some time to get to know each other, talk about what brings you to therapy, and discuss what you hope to get out of our work together. I’ll also explain what you can expect from the therapeutic process, so you have a clear sense of how we’ll work together moving forward. Most importantly, there’s no pressure to have it all figured out on day one—therapy is a process, and we’ll navigate it together.
Strengths
As a therapist, I believe that healing happens in relationship. We are shaped by the people and environments we grow up in, the relationships we experience, and the stories we come to believe about ourselves. In our work together, I want to create a space where you can feel seen, understood, and accepted—not judged or analyzed from across the room. My approach is relational, collaborative, and grounded in genuine human connection. I don’t believe therapy needs to feel stiff or overly clinical. Sometimes there is room for a thoughtful pause, sometimes there are tears, and sometimes a little humor is exactly what we need to make it through the hour. I’m comfortable with all of it. I see therapy as a place where we can get curious about the patterns that show up in your life and relationships, understand where they came from, and explore what you might want to do differently. My goal isn’t to tell you who you should be; it’s to help you better understand yourself so you can make choices that feel more authentic and meaningful.
Ideal clients
I especially enjoy working with adolescents and young adults who are navigating the often confusing, sometimes hilarious, and occasionally overwhelming process of figuring out who they are and where they fit in the world. This can be a time filled with change, pressure, relationships, identity exploration, and the ever-present question of, “Am I the only one who feels this way?” My ideal clients are those who may be struggling with anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck and unsure of what comes next. I strive to create a space where young people can show up as themselves—without having to have everything figured out or pretend that they do. Through a relational and collaborative approach, we’ll explore the patterns, experiences, and relationships that have shaped how you see yourself and the world around you. My goal is to build a genuine therapeutic relationship where you feel heard, understood, and supported as you develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and connection. And yes, there is room for humor along the way—because growing up is hard enough without having to be serious about it all the time.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
• What it is: The "thought and action" connection. • How it looks in session: We will gently look at the automatic thoughts or stories you tell yourself that might be keeping you stuck or making you feel anxious. Together, we will test those thoughts to see if they are completely true, and practice shifting them to perspectives that serve you better.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
• What it is: Your practical toolkit for intense emotions. • How it looks in session: When feelings get completely overwhelming, logic alone isn't enough. We will practice concrete, real-time skills to help you tolerate distress, navigate tricky conversations, anchor yourself in the present moment, and ride out intense emotional waves without feeling like you are drowning.
Attachment-based
• What it is: Understanding your relationship patterns. • How it looks in session: We will explore how your earliest relationships shape how you connect with others, set boundaries, and view yourself today. This helps us understand why certain relationship dynamics feel frustratingly familiar, allowing us to build a deep sense of safety and security within yourself and your current connections.
Trauma-Informed Care
• What it is: Shifting the question from "What is wrong with me?" to "What happened to me?" • How it looks in session: Your emotional safety is the absolute priority. We move at your pace, and you never have to share anything before you are ready. We honor the way your mind and body have learned to protect you, looking at current struggles not as "flaws," but as survival strategies that we can gently update together.
Narrative
• What it is: Separating your identity from your struggles to rewrite your life story. • How it looks in session: Instead of saying "I am an anxious person," we talk about how "Anxiety" is showing up in your life. We will investigate the stories you tell yourself, hunt for the hidden strengths and "plot twists" where you outsmarted the problem, and safely co-author a new narrative that reflects who you truly want to be.
Location
Virtual sessions