Laken Shirey
CMHC
Most of my clients are adults, but I also enjoy working with children, adolescents, and couples. My primary areas of interest and expertise include trauma, life transitions, identity development, interpersonal and relationship issues, emotional eating and obesity, and low self-esteem. I see every client as a complex blend of identities, experiences, challenges, and strengths; I value the opportunity to explore the ways in which these factors intersect to create the unique person across from me. I believe that every individual deserves and is capable of healing, joy, love, and fun. Even the most challenging thought and behavioral patterns are coping strategies that aren’t working anymore. I don’t believe in pathologizing what was once creative and necessary—instead, I want to empower clients to identify healthier, more adaptive ways of handling stress and meeting their needs in their current lives. Walking into a therapy center and sharing one’s most vulnerable self can be one of the most difficult first steps. I recognize the courage it’s taken my clients to get this far, so I strive to create an atmosphere of safety and warmth. I welcome all feelings and feedback, and I bring my authentic self to every session. Beyond the psychological theories and interventions I use, I most effectively help my clients heal by being fully present, paying attention to all the ways they communicate, and demonstrating that I genuinely care.