Laura Bruen

Good News! Anxiety and depression are manageable. I say this with confidence after working in the mental health field for over 26 years. I welcome the opportunity to provide you with the private and objective support you need in becoming stronger than whatever it is that has disrupted your well-being. My clinical interests include anxiety, depression, relationships and life transitions. I work with older teens, young adults and adults. I am here to empathically listen and educate. Therapy presents an opportunity for change. We will work collaboratively to strengthen coping skills needed to ease your daily stress. Working with patients and consulting with psychiatrists in an acute inpatient and outpatient mental health setting has provided me with extensive experience in diagnoses, mood disorders, personality disorders and substance abuse.

In addition, I am a high school coach who is passionate about motivating others to be their best, do their best and enjoy the moment. You can expect this same attitude from me in a therapy session.

My therapeutic approach is solution focused with an emphasis in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This modality allows personal growth through identifying and reframing the patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. You will gain insight into how these three things affect how you connect with yourself and others. Some patterns are healthy and some are simply self- defeating and need to go! I am a compassionate listener who will provide you with direct and honest feedback. I will encourage you to communicate your feelings about progress or lack there of so that we can stay the course on getting you feeling better. Together we will develop a treatment plan and set personal goals to successfully manage your identified stressors. My hope is that therapy provides you with a sense of power through self- awareness and a belief that you have the ability to change or at a minimum accept the things (or people) you can't!

I do provide a free 15-minute phone consultation to make sure we are a good fit. (Please note I am not accepting EAP clients at this time) If you would like to proceed with a first meeting you can expect a "getting to know you" session. This is a relaxed, no pressure meeting. We will discuss your reason for seeking counseling and your goals for therapy. Therapy does not need to be complicated, but it should consistently challenge you to reveal your true self and question the role you play in your current situation. I look forward to meeting with you. Congratulations for taking the courageous first step toward a peaceful mind!