Frequently Asked Questions

What is therapy like?

Individual therapy is when you meet with Laura and talk about whatever it is that prompted you to come to therapy. Laura will ask questions to better understand your perspective, point out patterns that might be valuable to you, and help you determine what steps you can take to live a life that feels good to you. Because Laura believes that our bodies hold and communicate to us about trauma, she will also help you better connect with and respond to your body. This may mean breathing techniques, movement, or mindfulness practices.

Group therapy is when you meet with a small group to learn with and from others. Usually, groups are set up for a specific topic, and focus on education, sharing, and mutual support

What is trauma?

A trauma is any experience where you felt powerless and afraid, even scared for your or someone else’s safety or well-being. This can be experiences like abuse, assault, or natural disasters, but can also be a difficult divorce, being part of a marginalized group, or living with a chronic illness.

What is complex trauma?

Complex trauma is when you experience multiple or long-lasting traumas like childhood abuse or neglect, narcissistic abuse, or existing in a high control environment like a cult or religious group. People who experience complex trauma, especially in childhood, often have longer lasting or more intense reactions than someone who has had a single traumatic experience.

Why don’t you take insurance?

The technical answer is that in order for insurance to cover mental health therapy, you must have a mental health diagnosis that your insurance plan covers. Some plans have unrealistic expectations of mental health recovery and put restrictions on the number of sessions, the types of therapy, and the amount they are willing to cover.

The better answer is that recovering from trauma doesn’t mean you are sick. It means you are a person who went through something horrible and needs support. By staying out of the medical model way of thinking, we have more freedom and flexibility to help you recover in ways that are right for you.

Is therapy confidential?

Yes, with some exceptions. As a licensed professional counselor, Laura is legally required to report the following situations to the appropriate authorities to ensure people’s safety:

If you disclose that a child under 18, an older adult, or a vulnerable adult is being hurt, abused, or neglected.

If you disclose or Laura has reasonable belief that you are seriously considering killing yourself or another person.

Laura may also have to disclose information if she is subpoenaed by a court of law, or if she is seeking consultation from another therapist in order to provide you with the best possible care.

Do you prescribe medication?

No, licensed professional counselors are not able to prescribe medication. If you are interested in medication to help with your mental health, we can discuss which doctors may be the best option for you and help you prepare for your appointment.

How long does therapy last?

A traditional therapy session is 50 minutes, though longer and short appointments are available if needed. As for how long you will stay in therapy, it depends on what you’re working through, how much additional support you have, and the frequency of your sessions. Some people choose to stick with therapy on an ongoing basis.

How often do I have to go to therapy?

Laura recommends weekly sessions for at least the first 6 weeks to help you feel comfortable with her and with therapy in general. Many people stay at weekly sessions for several months while others choose less frequent sessions. Frequency is something you and Laura will discuss to make sure you are getting the support you need in a way that works for you financially and logistically.

How does therapy help?

Therapy helps by giving you time to be reflective and vulnerable with another person. Doing this can help you better understand your past, thoughts, behaviors, emotions, relationships, and body. It can also empower you to make choices that move you toward a life that feels good to you. But let’s be honest, sometimes things are awful and there isn’t much to understand or do about it. That’s when therapy can help you hold space for the awfulness and take in the support of caring person.

What type of therapy do you do?

Since there isn’t one type of therapy that works for everyone, Laura pulls from different therapeutic practices to tailor therapy to your needs. She typically uses a combination of:

• Trauma-Informed Care – recognizing the ways trauma impacts individuals and communities and intentionally working to create an environment of safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment

• Person-Centered Therapy – recognizing that you know yourself best and hold significant wisdom about your own healing

• Mindfulness & Somatic Exploration – connecting to your body’s needs and signals to help identify issues and avenues of healing

• Intersectional Feminism – recognizing the ways people’s social identities can overlap creating compounding experiences of discrimination