Laura Leatherman, LCSW

Laura Leatherman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Virginia. She has 12 years of experience helping people facing anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship difficulties. Laura works with people dealing with trauma, self-esteem struggles, parenting strain, and career or life transitions.

She draws on straightforward, practical methods that people can use between sessions. Laura focuses on building a trusting relationship first. She listens without judgment and treats each person as an individual with unique goals.

Her clinical background includes work in outpatient counseling, hospitals, a residential program, and an emergency shelter. That variety shaped a flexible approach to different life challenges. She uses Client-Centered Therapy to follow what people need, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and Solution-Focused Therapy to set clear, achievable goals.

In sessions she helps people talk through relationship conflicts, manage anger, cope with parenting demands, and handle blended family dynamics. She also supports those facing caregiver stress, midlife questions, pregnancy and childbirth concerns, and social anxiety.

Laura emphasizes practical steps for sleep, daily coping, and mood management. She encourages small changes that add up over time. Though she is caring and direct, her style is focused on helping people make real progress toward the goals they name.

How these approaches shape online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the person's priorities. It helps when someone needs a supportive space to sort feelings and decide on next steps. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on what a person wants to achieve and builds short-term steps to reach those goals.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the person to identify which methods match their needs, goals, and preferences. That decision is revisited as progress is made and goals change.

This therapist's biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for brief check-ins when schedules are tight. Some formats use less bandwidth or do not require video, which can help on a noisy day or during a short break from work. Licensed professionals can use these approaches effectively in remote settings, and the focus remains on practical steps and achievable goals tailored to each person's life.