Laura Shires
Do you find yourself wishing for better days? Have you lost interest in the things that once brought you joy? Are your basic responsibilities weighing you down? Life doesn't have to be about exhaustion and overwhelm day in and day out. We can work together to improve your current circumstances. I love listening to my client's stories and helping them put the pieces together. At times we may mix conversation with psychoeducation in coping skills, mindfulness, and meditation.
I prefer to utilize cognitive behavior therapy, narrative therapy, psychoeducation, meditation, mindfulness, and yoga during treatment.
Bravely sharing your story in counseling allows you a rare opportunity to be heard without judgment. This is a priceless opportunity to process your experience. Together we can develop the coping skills necessary to diminish the impact of mental health conditions such as anxiety, trauma, or depression while giving you the ability to adapt more readily to life's curveballs. Whatever you are facing, I am here to help. Seeking therapy is a brave new start, and I will be here to help you enhance your life one step at a time.
First session
In our first session, you’ll be met with warmth and curiosity as we talk about your story, the experiences that have shaped you, and what you hope to gain from counseling. We’ll also review the details of informed consent, go over how to use the client portal, and address any questions you may have. You don’t have to keep carrying it all on your own. If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling through a major life change, this is a safe space to breathe again. Together, we’ll work to understand your story, ease the pain you’ve been holding, and build new skills to help you feel grounded and capable. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
Strengths
I bring warmth, curiosity, and a genuine respect for each client’s lived experience. I am skilled at creating a space that feels comfortable and human while also helping clients recognize patterns, clarify what they need, and make meaningful changes. I balance emotional depth with practical tools, and I tailor therapy to the person rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. My clients can expect compassion, honesty, thoughtful questions, and steady support as they build greater self-trust and confidence. So many of us attempt to struggle alone. We know there has to be a better way, but how do we find our path when it feels like we are wading through quicksand? Do you pretend everything is fine while suffering in secret? Perhaps the struggle is becoming less and less secret? Anxiety, depression, grief, relationship problems all have a way of seeping into the rest of our lives and poisoning our potential on the job and within our relationships. I believe that you have the power to take a deep dive into the topics you normally wouldn't even acknowledge aloud. I believe that you can create a new normal, no matter how devastating the past. I believe in your innate power to be the author of your story.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is a thoughtful, self-aware woman who may appear capable and put together on the outside but feels anxious, emotionally exhausted, or uncertain underneath. She may be overthinking relationships, struggling with boundaries, carrying too much responsibility for others, or navigating a life transition that has left her questioning what she truly wants. She is ready to understand her patterns, strengthen her self-trust, and create a life and relationships that feel more balanced, secure, and authentic.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT combines cognitive strategies—such as reframing negative thoughts—with behavioral techniques—such as exposure, skills practice, and behavioral activation. Clients learn practical tools they can apply in daily life to reduce symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and support long-term wellbeing.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
Through mindfulness practices, acceptance strategies, and committed action steps, clients learn to respond to challenges in ways that align with their values rather than their fears or automatic reactions. ACT is effective for anxiety, depression, trauma responses, relationship stress, and life transitions, supporting clients in creating meaningful, values-driven lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
The therapy emphasizes holding two truths at once—acceptance and change—while teaching clients to understand and manage intense emotions, reduce impulsive or self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships. DBT provides practical, learnable tools that clients can use in daily life, making it especially effective for emotion dysregulation, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship conflicts.
EMDR
Through an eight-phase, structured protocol, EMDR reduces the emotional charge of traumatic memories and helps clients develop more adaptive thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. This approach is effective for PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, grief, and other issues rooted in unresolved past experiences, allowing clients to move forward with greater emotional stability and resilience.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions114 Nacogdoches St, Center, TX 75935, Suite B