Laura Calnan, Psychologist in Valley Village, 91607

Dr. Laura Calnan, PsyD.

Profession(s):
Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counseling Psychology
License Status:
I'm a licensed professional.
Primary License:
Psychologist

My Approach to Helping

My goal in therapy is to facilitate self-exploration in an attempt to heal and make sense of difficult situations, emotional states and relationships. I do this by providing a safe space in which to explore, free of judgments and agendas. My desire is to be with you wherever you are at in your life and help you find your own direction toward well-being and self-acceptance. Through my unconditional acceptance of you I help you gain self-acceptance.

Your thoughts and feelings create chemical patterns in your brain. Many of us get stuck in particular patterns just like grooves in a record and we never get out of those patterns. Through work in therapy we can create new grooves that result in different responses to the situations, emotions and relationships of life. The aim of therapy is to develop an awareness of our cognitive, behavioral and emotional patterns so that we can have the power to change them.

I have extensive experience working with adolescents and parents through the various stages of development.

I have a particular interest and strength working with adolescents and adults suffering from anxiety and depression.

I also have a comprehensive understanding of the addiction and recovery process and the deeper work on self that is often necessary for long-term, sustained sobriety.

My role as a therapist is to help you have more choices in your life. I will give you tools and actions you can take that will help you make these choices.

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I am skilled at working with symptoms of depression and anxiety because they appear so often. They are generally the jumping off point for exploring each individuals unique, deeper thoughts and meaning that contribute to the pain or difficulty in their life.