Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 46 ratings

Laura Appleton

LMHC, 4 years of experience

Frequently rebooked

Empowering
Authentic
Warm

About me

I'm an LMHC specializing in women’s mental health, though I work with individuals of all backgrounds, genders, and identities. With 15+ years in biotech/research, and experience as a Reiki Master, Polarity Practitioner, and licensed Massage Therapist, I blend science with holistic approaches to help clients manage stress, anxiety, depression, and recover from trauma. I believe mental health challenges often stem from external pressures, not personal fault. I create a safe space to uncover root causes, replace self-criticism with compassion, and turn evidence-based insights into a flexible path for sustainable growth. *Note: I work with adults, which means adult language may be used as part of open and honest dialogue.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our sessions focus on connecting past influences with present challenges, so we can strengthen the voices that move us forward and address those that hold us back. In a non-judgmental space grounded in safety and curiosity, we’ll explore the deeper aspects of your story, uncovering how your experiences have shaped your nervous system and stress responses. This understanding will help you better manage your symptoms. With simple techniques and small steps, we’ll develop personalized coping strategies, reframe negative self-talk, and build self-compassion, equipping you with the tools to navigate future challenges with greater ease.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I provide a pathway to emotional relief and deeper self-understanding, helping clients overcome the barriers that block meaningful change and life satisfaction. By offering tools and insights to better manage our thoughts and emotional responses, I help clients alleviate the burden of unrealistic expectations and emotional exhaustion. I help clients see how generational patterns, societal influences, and family history shape their mental health challenges, reducing self-blame and empowering clients to build self-acceptance and a kinder inner voice. This helps clients regain balance and approach life with renewed clarity and resilience.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

Clients who work well with me are deeply committed to personal growth and healing. They are ready to face challenges, explore their inner world, and reflect on how early experiences and formative relationships have shaped their present struggles. They understand that therapy isn’t about quick fixes, but about creating meaningful, lasting change through small, intentional steps toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. These clients may have experienced anxiety, depression, childhood or adult trauma, grief, or relationship issues and often feel weighed down by societal pressures, stress, or unresolved wounds. Despite these challenges, they are determined to move beyond the conditioned patterns of criticism, judgment, shame, and blame, as well as unhealthy coping mechanisms, to embrace more effective and sustainable ways of being. Curious and open-minded, they value self-awareness and are eager to explore how early experiences and past relationships influence their current thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They are drawn to an approach that balances scientific understanding with holistic practices to better understand how mental and emotional states impact their overall well-being. Their goal is to replace self-criticism with self-compassion and to build healthier, more fulfilling relationships with themselves and others. They appreciate learning how the brain, trauma, and stress responses shape their experiences, finding empowerment in this knowledge. With a collaborative mindset, they value a strong therapeutic partnership and a tailored, compassionate approach to healing.

Specialties

Top specialties

Other specialties

Chronic IllnessGriefPost PartumSelf EsteemSpirituality

I identify as

Serves ages

My treatment methods

Integrative

I use an eclectic mix of therapeutic techniques, drawing from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, humanistic, rational-emotive, internal family systems, and mindfulness/holistic-based practices. By developing a detailed understanding of your symptoms and deciphering the unique 'language' of your body, we work together to help you gain insight, foster resilience, and create lasting change that aligns with your values and life goals.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 46 ratings

4 ratings with written reviews

April 24, 2025

Laura is THE best therapist I've ever had. She follows your brain wherever it wants to go in the session without trying to control the conversation. She is open minded, personable, authentic and turns the mirror back on your inner self. She has been monumental in helping me heal after multiple traumatic events. She never judges you, but always points out when you're judging yourself. She is doing the grit work with me to change my inner voice into a gentler one. She's absolutely phenomenal!!!

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 14 with Laura

April 1, 2025

Helped me talk through problems, solve them, and be nicer to myself

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 1 with Laura

April 1, 2025

Laura provides incredible guidance in sessions and suggests attainable practices for me to implement between our sessions. She combines holistic approaches with authenticity and a sense of humor that always leaves me feeling lighter, even when we touch heavy topics.

Verified client, age 25-34

Review shared after session 5 with Laura