Female Therapists in Clear Lake Shores, TX

Living with chronic mental health problems can leave one feeling exhausted, isolated, and hopeless. You feel a need to connect with yourself and others, but the stress of your problems can make connection a challenge. You feel frustrated that the distress is spilling into important areas of your life. You try to overcome by yourself, yet sometimes you need someone else to lean on. Regardless of your unique challenges, you are motivated to build on your strengths to meet your goals. You are ready to take action to move toward the life you deserve to live.

I earned a PhD in Marital and Family Therapy with a minor in Psychology in addition to a Master's degrees in behavioral science. Having practiced for 34 years, doing over 51,000 sessions in my career, I have accumulated extensive experience in working with individuals, couples, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, anger and grief, along with the stresses of everyday life. As a certified hypnotherapist and teacher of those skills, I find hypnosis very useful in the treatment of a number of issues including, PTSD, addictions, and anxiety. New research is showing marked improvement in some cases of IBS with hypnotherapy.

Each person has their own vital, meaningful life, and I join clients on this journey. Using a warm, empathic approach coupled with a healthy and gentle dose of directness, I guide clients in working through the areas of their lives that keep them stuck in their suffering. I work with couples and families to identify strengths and address problematic issues in relationships so that they may be more fulfilling. I have experience treating a variety of issues and have helped people from all walks of life in a practical, life-changing manner.

A favorite saying of mine is "CHANGE... It's One of Life's Only Constants..." Change often signifies growth. Changes often move us from our comfort zone and may trigger stressful or distressing thoughts, behaviors, emotions or physiological responses. Our responses are often unconscious. Except we consciously recognize increased discomfort, pain or unproductive functioning in our daily roles and relationships. If you or a family member are experiencing any social, emotional, mental or behavioral difficulties causing distress & preventing enjoying life or realizing your or their full potential in personal, work or school functioning, I invite you to call me.

At The Refuge Counseling Services, PLLC, I believe that everyone has the ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life. My philosophy is rooted in the belief that mental and emotional well-being are integral to overall health, and that therapy can be a powerful tool for achieving this balance.

Laura provides individual, marital, and family therapy for a wide variety of both clinical and non-clinical issues. Areas of special interest include marital conflict, mood disturbances (anxiety and depression), emotional abuse, divorce and stepfamily issues, low self-esteem and boundary problems, trauma recovery, relationship skills, neuropsychology, and faith-based counseling (if requested).

Yep, life sure can feel heavy sometimes! Does it seem as though you are in a constant wrestling- match with your feelings, or battling an emotional tug-of-war? Are the daily pressures weighing you down, leaving you discouraged, exhausted or hopeless? Maybe you are fighting to control your racing thoughts & restless energy. Struggling to contain or manage your frustration, disappointment, anger, fear or sadness can feel impossible, even pointless, at times. The stress of it all might even be causing you to disconnect or isolate from those you love in order to shield them from what you are going through.

Life has challenges; some up and some down. We can feel anxious, sad, alone or sometimes just stuck with no clear direction and no one we can turn to. That's when we find ourselves needing a partner to walk alongside us as we navigate the things life throws our way. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly a decade and a half of experience assisting individuals who took a big step towards wellness by doing just what you are doing today and looking for a counselor who you can trust.

DO YOU LONG FOR CLOSE, MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE? Are you frustrated because of the conflict that keeps you from feeling close to others? I believe that all of us are created to be in relationship with others and that when those relationships aren't working, we experience deep pain. I am relationally-focused and work with individuals, couples and families.

I get it, because I've been there. I was diagnosed with an eating disorder, major depression, and generalized anxiety right out of high school. I had no idea what was happening and quickly fell into some of the darkest spaces of my life. I floundered around wondering "what's the point?" and relied heavily on unhealthy coping mechanisms to make it worth waking up each day. Today, I use my experiences to help others.

Life situations can often burden us leaving us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless which can contribute to increased anxiety and disturbance in sleeping patterns. My specialty revolves around individual and family systems therapy which includes a unique approach to couples therapy (marriage counseling), life transitions, children, adolesecents and family of origin issues. Through my continuing post graduate training I have developed a behavioral, relational, and psychdynamic psychotheraputic approach to assist in allivating these patterns by enhancing communication styles, negotiating skills and problem solving techniques.

Licensed in Texas as a professional counselor since 2010, this counseling process involves client centered therapy with a Christian perspective. My experience has been helping those struggling through axiety, grief and loss, transitional and major life changes, relational conflicts, low self-esteem and individuals desiring self-growth. Dialogue and treatment plans are tailored to meet the unique and specific needs of the client. Individual, couples or group counseling options are available.

Have you been looking for a therapist that helps you become your own therapist? If your automatic thought was yes…then you have come to the right place. I offer individual telehealth therapy to adults seeking assistance in their healing process. Beginning therapy can be a very challenging step as it can be incredibly vulnerable to open your world up to a complete stranger. Therefore, I am committed to creating a safe, genuine, and culturally sensitive space for those struggling with life’s hardships. I will collaboratively work with you to identify, explore, and process challenges and to learn healthy ways to manage stressors.