About

I don't believe people are "broken". Rather, they just get "stuck." And while I incorporate several modalities, my typical approach to counseling is from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

ACT is a powerful new psychotherapy based on cutting-edge research into how the human mind works. It has been clinically proven to be successful in a wide range of psychological problems. (The unusual name of this therapy comes from one of its key themes: Learn how to accept those things that are out of your control, and commit to changing those things that can be changed to make your life better.) This is a very active therapy. It's not one of those therapies where we just talk about your problems. It's a therapy in which you actively learn new skills to improve your quality of life.

There are two basic aims in this therapy:

One aim is to help you create a rich, full and meaningful life. To do that, we'll need to spend some time talking about what you really want out of life; what's important and meaningful to you, deep in your heart. We call this 'clarifying your values'. Values are your heart's deepest desires for what you want to do and how you want to be during your time on this planet. Then, using that information as a guide, we'll look at how you can set goals and take action to change your life for the better - and in the process, develop a sense of meaning, purpose and vitality.

The other aim is to teach you a set of skills that will allow you to handle painful thoughts and feelings far more effectively, in such a way that they have much less impact and influence over you. We call these skills 'mindfulness skills'. Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness, openness, and focus. In a state of mindfulness, painful thoughts and feelings have much less impact on us. In a state of mindfulness, we can effectively handle even the most difficult feelings, urges, memories, thoughts and sensations - and as we learn to do so, we can break self-defeating habits or destructive patterns of behavior; let go of self-defeating beliefs; rise beyond our fears, and change our attitude in life-enhancing ways.

I am a native Texan, but fairly new to Waco. Other than a few years spent in San Francisco during the 70’s, I spent most of my life in the DFW area. I came to Waco in 2016 after a year and a half stint on South Padre Island. I’ve come to love many things about Waco, but I do miss seeing the ocean from my living room!

I have an amazing firefighter-paramedic daughter who recently made me an indescribably proud grandmother. My son-in-law is pretty great, as well. Time with them is truly cherished.

“I’ve reinvented myself career-wise several times, with the common thread of striving to be of service to others.”

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Dallas in 1993, and a Masters in Public Affairs, also from UTD, in 1995. I worked for several non-profits over the next decade, including a domestic violence agency. It was there, surrounded by counselors doing work I have no doubt was saving lives, that I found the inspiration to go back to school to become a counselor. Thinking that I wanted to work exclusively with adolescents at the time, I first earned a teaching certificate from the University of North Texas. While teaching high school, I continued my education at UNT and earned an MS in Counseling in 2009.

“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing.” ~Pema Chodron

My areas of specialty include substance abuse, trauma, anxiety/depression, domestic violence, and mindfulness. I have worked as a counselor, supervisor, and clinical director for residential substance abuse treatment centers. I understand the devastation active addiction has on both the individual and all who care about them. I also believe there is a solution, and I am honored to help individuals and families discover freedom from suffering.

I am EMDR trained and regularly use this protocol to help people recover from traumatic experiences, whether they be single incidents or extended periods of abuse and/or neglect. I have extensive experience utilizing EMDR to resolve the trauma associated with accidents, illnesses, grief/loss, natural disasters, military combat, childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and more.

“The basic root of happiness lies in our minds; outer circumstances are nothing more than adverse or favorable.” ~Matthieu Ricard

All of my work, as well as my personal life, is grounded in mindfulness. Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as the awareness that comes from paying attention in a particular way -- on purpose, moment-by-moment, nonjudgmentally, and with kindness, if possible. When we practice training our attention to stay in the present moment, we become much more aware of the stories we tell ourselves and how much suffering we experience as a result.

In working with clients I utilize several mindfulness-based modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to address struggles of all kinds. 

I also enjoy working with couples and have completed clinical training from the Gottman Institute. John Gottman has been called the ‘Michael Jordan of marriage counseling.’ In this area of work, I utilize the Gottmans’ research-based roadmap for helping couples compassionately manage their conflicts, deepen their friendship and intimacy, and share their life purpose and dreams.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela

I completed a certification program in  Meditation and Psychotherapy, and am currently working on one to become a Mindful Self-Compassion teacher.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. As an enthusiastic life-long learner I’m also planning to begin a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology in the very near future.

“I look forward to meeting you and holding space for you to begin your journey to wholeness.”

While not an exhaustive list, common issues Laura works with include:

• Anxiety/Depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Substance Abuse/Addiction
• Chronic Pain
• Codependency
• Grief
• Self Esteem
• Spirituality
• Sexual Abuse

Laura welcomes clients of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual identities, religious affiliations, nationalities, and/or disability status. 

Average Cost (per session): $100-$150

Insurance: Out of network/Direct Pay