Laura Shaffner, LCSW

My name is Laura Shaffner, and I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and counselor. My counseling style is warm and intuitive. I especially enjoy working with people around life changes, self-esteem work, anxiety, and relationship issues.

I use the framework of holistic psychology primarily in my work, along with incorporating other frameworks that may best suit you. This may include cognitive-behavioral, client-centered, or psycho-dynamic counseling, along with yoga and mindfulness techniques as modalities for self-care. Holistic psychology believes that healing is a conscious process that can be lived daily through changes in our habits and patterns. The practice of holistic psychology is rooted in the ideas of freedom, choice, and ultimately, self-empowerment. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Please know that a counseling session with me is always a supportive, safe space to talk about anything that is on your mind.

Oftentimes, we seek counseling to get through a difficult experience, manage overwhelming emotions, or improve relationships. While counseling is effective in helping one get through isolated challenges, the goal of counseling is to help identify patterns of ideas, emotions, and behaviors that may contribute to repetitive maladaptive experiences. Our current experiences are often shaped by past experiences. It is common to get stuck in ways that make it difficult to move past a particular state of being. It is important to recognize that counseling is a collaborative effort. The true work of counseling often occurs between sessions in self-reflection, self-awareness, and a commitment to self-improvement.

It takes courage to seek for you to reach out and seek help. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to be your sounding board and help you with whatever concerns you are facing today. I very much look forward to working with you!