Meet Laura
I get it. You’ve decided to reach out, but that anxious and hurt voice is whispering “Is she safe? Is this therapist a good fit?” That voice is doing precisely what it’s supposed to do- protecting you. A good fit in therapy is invaluable. You deserve a therapist that helps you feel safe.
Hi!
My name is Laura Evans, but you can call me Laura. No formalities needed.
I show up to help you reach your goals as a collaborator in your care- open, caring, and judgment-free. It is of utmost importance to me that you feel seen, heard, and understood. I am upfront but kind when I tell you what patterns and behavior I see, with zero judgments attached. You can curse, yell, cry, or disclose something you are ashamed of in the session. You can tell me about your worries, that you hurt yourself or fell back into disordered eating.
We will take a deep breath, and approach it with curiosity and care instead of judgment and shame.
Cause’ we both know that you’ve been feeling judgment and shame for a while now, and it’s not helping.
Our job is to learn, understand, pick up the pieces, and redesign your life into something you love- focused on healing instead of hurt.
Expect a little fun mixed with the serious, some accountability mixed with laughter, and growth colliding with getting to know yourself without the pain you’ve been carrying around for so long. Definitely expect research and evidence-based treatment- with a side of nerd culture. As an LBGTQA+ affirming and anti-racist therapist, expect me to be outspoken about ending oppression and fostering inclusivity.
We will laugh. We will cry. Above all, your life will change.
What am I like outside of the therapy office?
I strongly believe in authenticity and honesty, so pretty much the same in personality. Sometimes I stand in the street and shout “crush the patriarchy.” Just kidding…I just wear a tee shirt.
Anyway, I have an affinity for Doctor Who and Harry Potter- that shows up in session sometimes. When I’m not in session, I’m trying to wrangle some kiddos, grow things in my garden, and cooking things.
The boring info:
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Virginia. I have practiced counseling in Martinsville for 9 years, and have worked in human services for 13 years in both community and college sectors. I teach human services and counseling skills at the college level. I have a Master’s in Professional Counseling. You can check out the CV below for more info.
I have specialized training in trauma, eating disorder, self-harm, and substance abuse treatment. I have certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and specialized training in Seeking Safety, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), CBTp (cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. If you have specific questions on methods, please feel free to ask.