A woman with reddish-brown hair smiling, wearing a black, gray, and white striped shirt, standing in front of a brick wall.

Laura Lahay, LCPC, NCC

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.”
— Brene Brown

I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable showing up as your full, authentic self. My style is warm, relaxed, collaborative, and often includes humor. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can be honest about what you are experiencing without feeling judged, while also feeling supported in making meaningful changes.

I work with teens and adults navigating eating disorders and body image concerns, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, LGBTQIA+ identity and experiences, and spirituality or religious trauma. I also work with couples who want to better understand their patterns, improve communication, and feel more connected in their relationships.

I tailor therapy to each client and integrate approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. Your values are an important part of our work together, helping us identify what matters to you and what you want your life and relationships to look like.

My style is fairly relaxed; I will sometimes wear jeans and take my shoes off in session. I also find laughter can be so healing so don’t be surprised if I crack a few jokes. My wish is for clients to know they can show up authentically with me just as I will attempt to show up authentically with them. I can’t promise that the process will be quick and easy, but I can promise to work hard to be a support every step of the way.​

APPROACH

Book
A woman with red hair and tattoos on her arms sits on a green armchair in a room with a brick wall and a window, smiling and resting her chin on her hand.

    • I graduated in 2022 with my Masters degree from Trinity International University.

    • I am fully licensed as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and also a National Certified Counselor with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

    • I have experience working in multiple private practice environments both during my graduate program and after completing my graduate degree.

    • During my graduate program and post-graduate experience, I was supervised by clinicians with specialized training in Emotion-Focused Therapy, the Gottman Method for couples, and Exposure with Response Prevention.

    • I have attended the Renfrew Center Foundation Eating Disorder Conference for three years.

LAURA’S FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A THERAPIST

Ever since I was young, I have always had a fascination with people's stories, the human mind, and relational patterns. When I was beginning to determine my future career path in high school, I remember talking to a friend who suggested I pursue a people helping career due to my "interest in people and being a good listener." That stuck with me. What further fueled my interest and passion for the mental health field was experiencing my own mental health struggles and engaging in my own therapeutic work. Therapy has and continues to greatly change my life and I wanted to be able to be a part of the work of making a positive difference in others lives.

FUN FACTS ABOUT LAURA

Person sitting with legs extended, reading an open book. The person is wearing dark jeans, and the photo is taken from above, highlighting the shadows on the floor.

LOVES READING BOOKS

Overhead view of black over-ear wireless headphones, a white wireless mouse, and part of a white computer keyboard on a white surface.
Silhouette of a person performing a yoga pose called Natarajasana or Lord of the Dance pose on a rocky terrain at sunset or sunrise with a colorful sky.

MUSIC ENTHUSIAST

MOVES BODY THROUGH WALKS, YOGA, AND LIFTING