Laura

LAURA SHAFFER

She/They
M.A.
Licensed Associate Professional Counselor

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor

Specialities:

Autism and ADHD (diagnosed or suspected), depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, LGBTQ+, ENM

Services Offered:
Individual Therapy, Couples Therapy

Ages:
Adults, Teens

MEET LAURA

Hello! If you decide to work with me, one of the first things I’ll ask is what you hope to get out of therapy. It’s ok if you’re not sure of the answer right away, but it is an important question to consider! I’m a certified Gestalt therapist, which means that *my* goal is to help you build awareness of what’s going on with you in the moment, as well as understanding that you have more options available than you may think.

I love going on this journey with clients and watching the process of self-development that can naturally unfold when you take the time (and get the support you need) to really explore your own wants and needs, challenges and strengths. Professor Irvin Yalom says “I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story.”  Those are words that inspire me and guide my approach, and whether that will look more like traditional talk therapy, mindfulness and movement, creative play or talking about what we’ve read recently is mostly up to you.

I’m also sympathetic to clients who have concerns about the medical system, institutional power structures and self-determination. My approach is feminist, LGBTQ- and ENM-affirming and culturally responsive. I’m always happy to discuss any concerns openly so we can do our best to create a relationship that feels supportive, transparent, and personally empowering.

WHO I HELP?

I have lived and professional experience with neurodivergence, and love working with these populations (ASD and/or ADHD, diagnosed or suspected). I’m also happy to support you with most other issues, but may be the most helpful with depression, life transitions, and navigating challenging relationships of all kinds. You may feel I’m a good fit if you’re creative (or you’d like to be more creative), not sure where you fit in, sick of getting stuck in your head, or struggling to prioritize yourself and the life you really want.

WHAT CAN YOU SPECT?

Sessions really vary depending on client needs. In your first session, I’ll ask a lot of questions about you and your background (including anything you’ve liked or disliked previously in therapy). I’ll also answer any questions you may have, then we can work together to create a plan that works for you. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for, that’s also fine! We can start simple and figure it out as we go. One thing about Gestalt therapy is that I’ll probably ask you where you’d like to start at the beginning of each session, but the beauty of this approach is it could be literally anything that’s on your mind. All of it leads in the direction of knowing yourself better and increasing your power to choose.

When I am not at AMW then you will find me?

Reading philosophy, writing and making things, hanging out with my (teenage) kids, looking for new adventures.