Laura Laird
Laura Laird
I am a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California with over 12 years experience. I am passionate about and enjoy working with adults, adolescents, and children to help them with the challenges they face, including unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues or whatever is holding you back. I have vast therapeutic and life experiences that help me better understand what you are going through and how to help you. Life is difficult, complicated and at times even traumatic, but it can also be filled with great joy and fulfillment. What is standing in the way of embracing the life you desire. It is not always easy getting to the point of asking for outside help. I recognize and respect the courage that it takes, and I am here to help you. I am a “person centered” therapist who works from a strength-based model using DBT, as well as techniques from CBT to help you access all that is within you to heal and change. One size does not fit all – No two people are the same, so no single therapy modality is right for everyone. I individualize treatment to ensure you are receiving what you need to reach your therapeutic and life goals. When you are willing to seek change, change will happen. Things can get better. Take that first step toward healing. I look forward to working with you!
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Your first session is all about getting to know each other. We'll begin by discussing what brings you in and what you'd like to achieve through our work together. This is a safe, supportive space where you can speak openly without fear of judgment. I’ll ask some questions to better understand your background, current concerns, and goals. You’re also welcome to ask me anything about the process—your comfort and clarity are important to me. By the end of the session, we’ll have a clearer idea of how we can move forward, and I’ll outline what ongoing sessions might look like based on your needs. There's no pressure to share everything right away. We go at your pace.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
My biggest strengths is that I have coping skills and training in my areas that I specialize: CBT, DBT, Trauma focused.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I specialize in working with individuals who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about how to move forward in life. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally exhausted, highly self-critical, or burdened by anxiety, perfectionism, or unresolved grief. They’re often high-functioning on the outside but struggling internally—tired of carrying it all alone and ready for real change. I work well with people who are insightful and motivated for personal growth, even if they don’t know exactly where to begin. My approach is particularly helpful for clients who want to better understand themselves, heal old patterns, and develop more authentic and fulfilling relationships—with others and with themselves. Whether you're navigating a life transition, working through trauma, or simply craving a deeper sense of peace and clarity, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore what matters most to you. Together, we’ll build a therapy process that aligns with your values, goals, and pace.
About Laura Laird
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Person-centered (Rogerian)
In my practice as a therapist, person-centered therapy forms a foundational part of how I build therapeutic relationships and foster growth. I deeply value the core principles of this approach—empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness—which I integrate into every session, regardless of the modality I'm using. My experience with person-centered therapy began during my clinical training, where I was drawn to its emphasis on trusting the client’s capacity for self-healing and self-discovery. Over the years, I’ve found that creating a nonjudgmental, empathic, and accepting environment allows clients to feel truly heard and supported—often for the first time—which can be a powerful catalyst for change. In practice, I use person-centered principles to guide the therapeutic relationship. Whether I’m working with individuals facing anxiety, depression, trauma, or life transitions, I focus on meeting them where they are, listening deeply, and allowing their experience to take the lead. While I integrate other approaches (such as CBT, mindfulness, or trauma-informed care) as appropriate, the person-centered stance remains central to how I engage with clients—always with respect for their autonomy and inner wisdom.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
As a therapist, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a foundational approach I frequently draw upon in my work with clients. My training in CBT began during my graduate studies, where I was introduced to its structured, evidence-based framework. Since then, I’ve completed additional professional development in CBT, including workshops and supervision that deepened my understanding of how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact. In practice, I use CBT to help clients develop greater awareness of the automatic thoughts and core beliefs that influence their emotional responses and behaviors. I work collaboratively with clients to identify cognitive distortions, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and develop more adaptive coping strategies. I also incorporate behavioral techniques such as activity scheduling, behavioral activation, and exposure work when appropriate, depending on the client’s goals and presenting concerns. CBT has proven especially effective in my work with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. I appreciate its goal-oriented nature, and I tailor its use to fit each client’s unique context and readiness. While I integrate other modalities as needed, CBT remains a core tool in my therapeutic toolkit because of its flexibility and strong empirical support.