Therapist profile
Laura Leatherman
Compassionate therapist focused on practical change
Review online therapy options on BetterHelp.
- Client-centered care
- Practical coping skills
- Trauma-informed support
About Laura
Her practice emphasizes listening first and building a trusting connection. She offers counseling without judgment and treats each person as an individual. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals the client wants to reach.
Laura blends client-centered care with cognitive behavioral techniques and solution-focused methods to address everyday problems. She draws on experience from outpatient clinics, hospitals, a residential program, and an emergency shelter. That background informs how she helps people manage symptoms and regain steady routines.
In sessions she will work with clients to identify patterns that keep problems going, test small changes, and notice what actually helps. She supports parents coping with the demands of caregiving, people rebuilding after trauma, and those facing life changes such as pregnancy, midlife shifts, or blended family issues.
Laura asks clients to set clear, realistic goals and tracks progress together. Her aim is to help people develop practical coping skills, improve communication, and find direction when life feels uncertain.
How Laura's Approaches Help in Online Therapy
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The therapist follows the person's pace, reflects concerns back, and helps shape goals that matter to them. This approach is useful for people who need a steady, respectful place to talk through changes.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thinking and test small behavior changes. It is practical for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress where learning new routines or coping skills can make a real difference.
Solution-Focused Therapy centers on actionable steps and short-term goals. It helps people define what success looks like, try small experiments, and notice what works sooner rather than later.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to choose or combine methods based on goals, needs, and personal preference. Together they track progress and adjust the plan if something is not working.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the current session options before booking. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and let people work on skills between meetings. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work well in remote sessions while focusing on the same practical goals as in-person therapy.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, anger, sleep issues, parenting strain, ADHD, and coping with life changes.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is person-centered and practical. She listens first, then uses cognitive and solution-focused techniques to set reachable goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of experience working in outpatient clinics, hospitals, a residential program, and an emergency shelter.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in Virginia and holds a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina.
Can sessions be held in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.