Laura Lahay, MA
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Masters of Arts
Couseling Extern To make an appointment with Laura, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email Contact.OH@OakHeartCenter.com.
Treats the Following:Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, Faith-Based Counseling
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Biography
"Asking for help can feel uncomfortable and it can be down-right scary to take the first step towards healing. I want clients to know I see their bravery. I believe therapy is tough, yet beautifully rewarding work that can propel a person forward towards their goals. My desire is to go on a journey with my clients, giving them space for short-term discomfort so that they might receive the long-term benefits. I value authenticity and promise to be as real as possible with my clients- I’m not about acting like I have it all figured out. Rather, I wish to share what I know and work together to navigate the journey ahead.
I received my bachelor’s degree in 2019 in Children and Family Ministries from Moody Bible Institute and received my Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in 2022. I completed my internship with OakHeart in May of 2022 and am currently a pre-licensed counseling extern with the practice. I have experience working with toddlers all the way through adults both in clinical and non-clinical settings. The majority of the clients I see struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, feeding and eating disorders, low self-esteem, and life transitions. I enjoy working with all ages, but have most experience with kids, teens, and young adults. I also love working with clients who wish to integrate faith and spirituality into their counseling experience.
In my therapeutic work, I choose to use a mix of evidence-based treatment modalities including, but not limited to, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. My goal is to meet clients where they are at, tailoring treatment approaches to best suit their needs. I feel honored to do therapeutic work with each of my clients. My goal is to provide you with a safe and welcoming environment that allows you to utilize your values as the GPS. I can’t promise that there will not be hills or valleys on this journey, but I can promise to work hard to be a support to you every step of the way."
I received my bachelor’s degree in 2019 in Children and Family Ministries from Moody Bible Institute and received my Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in 2022. I completed my internship with OakHeart in May of 2022 and am currently a pre-licensed counseling extern with the practice. I have experience working with toddlers all the way through adults both in clinical and non-clinical settings. The majority of the clients I see struggle with anxiety disorders, depression, feeding and eating disorders, low self-esteem, and life transitions. I enjoy working with all ages, but have most experience with kids, teens, and young adults. I also love working with clients who wish to integrate faith and spirituality into their counseling experience.
In my therapeutic work, I choose to use a mix of evidence-based treatment modalities including, but not limited to, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. My goal is to meet clients where they are at, tailoring treatment approaches to best suit their needs. I feel honored to do therapeutic work with each of my clients. My goal is to provide you with a safe and welcoming environment that allows you to utilize your values as the GPS. I can’t promise that there will not be hills or valleys on this journey, but I can promise to work hard to be a support to you every step of the way."
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I absolutely love the summer months. I love the great amounts of sunshine, the blooming of plants and trees, getting to do fun activities like swimming, boating, fishing, roller-blading, etc., and having extra time to spend with friends and family. A favorite memory I have of the summer months as a child was getting to swim pretty much every day (sometimes multiple times a day) in our backyard pool. I anticipate and look forward to these months as they approach, but I know for others, especially those who are recovering from eating disorders, the summer months can create discomfort, bring up immense insecurities, and feel overwhelming to navigate...(to read more, click on the link above).
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One of my favorite holiday experiences as a child was getting to help my mom bake dozens of cookies for the many people she wished to bless them with (family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.). I loved helping her put all the ingredients in the mixer. I would let her do the mixing because the electric mixer scared me at times, but she would then let me come help roll the dough into any cookie size I wanted and place them on the baking sheet. I begin to think about these special memories and the many yummy foods that are associated with them during this holiday season. I know for others though, especially those who are recovering from eating disorders, the holidays can be scary, overwhelming, and down-right difficult to navigate...(to read more, click on the link above).
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