I Believe That Every One Of Us Deserves To Be Met With Love, Care, And Protection
Therapists are often thought of as “wounded healers”—people who have experienced their own fair share of pain and feel called to help others work through their own. This concept is central to my origin story as well. As a child, I was partially deaf and struggled to hear those around me. My circumstances required me to develop a strong internal voice and a keen observational eye—especially regarding relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
This unique foundation of development is the reason I felt called to be a therapist. My enhanced perception of what was going on around me helped me understand that we all go through moments of disconnection. Knowing this helped me foster a deep sense of empathy for other people’s struggles. Ultimately, this experience lit the spark for my calling: to help others feel seen, heard, and understood.
Today, I am a therapist because I irrevocably believe that every person deserves to truly know that they matter and they are not alone. We humans are inherently deserving of love, care, and protection. That’s why I approach each individual with deep respect, holding a profound reverence for their complexities and honoring the uniqueness of their experiences, perspectives, and intersections. When people feel truly known, positive ripples spread through their relationships and communities. Therapy offers a unique gift—the chance to foster understanding and care within ourselves so that we can radiate it outwards, creating a “pay it forward” effect.
My Approach To The Healing Process
When you are well supported, you can courageously move through the challenges of life, knowing that you have a safe place to land. This philosophy forms the backbone of my approach to counseling. I strive to be a refuge to my clients in times of need. My calming presence, inner sense of knowing, and down-to-earth nature enable me to cultivate an environment of safety and acceptance.
I genuinely care about each person I work with. My transparency allows that care to shine through, forming the foundation of our connection. I walk this path with my clients as a fellow traveler, speaking from the heart with humility and hope. Levity also flows through my approach, as I believe humor is key for appreciating life and being able to see the bigger picture.
I draw from a variety of research and therapeutic approaches in my work, including Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Attachment Theory. Integral to my style is my use of figurative language—by integrating similes, metaphors, and imagery, I’m able to go deeper with my clients than words allow us to. The use of figurative language lets us tap into the richness and complexity of emotions and acts as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious. This can reveal layers of insight that facilitate profound emotional exploration.
My Passion For Helping People Work Through ADHD, Stress, And Relationship Issues
Connection profoundly shapes the meaning of our lives. Renowned psychologist Esther Perel once said: “It is the quality of our relationships that determines the quality of our lives.”* This is a guiding principle of my work and my own life.
I believe that our relationships too often go on as an untapped life force, and that we under-utilize the power within them to heal, empower, motivate, and imbue our lives with purpose. That’s why I specialize in providing couples therapy, family therapy, and individual relationship counseling—I want people to experience the life-changing power of connection, both in relationships with themselves and others.
Additionally, I am very passionate about working with people who are impacted by ADHD and struggle with stress management. Having navigated both myself, I know about the gifts of neurodiversity and the serious risks of chronic stress. I strive to help my clients find calmness in the midst of chaos and step out of the prism of stress, allowing them to live fuller, more meaningful lives.
For those impacted by ADHD, I believe there’s nothing more validating than having a counselor who has lived experience with the neurodevelopmental difference. While many pathologize ADHD and simply prescribe more “discipline,” I take a different approach since I know that living with ADHD is so much more nuanced than that. I help clients harness ADHD’s creative superpowers, such as innovation, resilience and resourcefulness. In therapy, this means experimenting with different behavioral approaches while regularly embracing humor and self-compassion along the way.
*https://fortune.com/well/2022/09/01/esther-perel-how-to-create-lasting-relationships/
A Little Bit About Who I Am
I actively nurture my own learning and healing, allowing me to walk alongside clients on their journey. Outside my practice, I stay curious about the world through nature, music, art and time with loved ones. You can often find me gardening, swimming, or going for long walks on the beach with my dogs.
Paramount to who I am is the fact that I hold my own healing and growth sacred. It’s my personal belief that the most effective therapists prioritize their own counseling for themselves. I have participated in my own individual, couples, and family therapy, allowing me to be seated with my clients—rather than across from them. By cleaning up my own mirror, I’m better able to help others do the same.
If you want to pursue your own personal growth and endow your life with a deeper sense of meaning and connection, I would be honored to walk this journey with you!
Laura Black is a licensed therapist in Laguna Niguel, California with a master’s degree in Couples & Family Therapy and a bachelor’s degree in Law & Society. Laura has had specialized training in Emotionally-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Neurobiology, ADHD treatment, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindful Self-Compassion Training. In sessions with clients, she prioritizes social justice work, cultural competency, crisis intervention, and LGBTQIA+ allyship & affirmative care.