Laura is a student intern at the University of the Cumberlands, providing 1:1 counseling at the Fountain Hill Center under the supervision of Amy Van Gunst, LPC, MDiv. With a background as a board-certified music therapist, Laura combines her experiences to create a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental counseling environment. She specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, relationships, and life transitions, welcoming clients from diverse backgrounds with LGBTQ+ affirming care.

Laura is a student intern attending University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky (a fully online CACREP-accredited program), through May of 2024. Laura conducts 1:1 counseling on-site at the Fountain Hill Center, as well as virtual counseling, under the supervision of Amy Van Gunst, LPC, MDiv. Laura also provides 1:1 counseling in the area schools for children in late elementary. When not pursuing internship hours at Fountain Hill, Laura works for a Michigan Hospice company as a music therapist. Laura has been a board-certified music therapist since 2018, with primarily Hospice experience. Her experiences as a music therapist led Laura to pursue counseling out of a desire for continued professional growth. 

Laura draws on Person-Centered theory and approaches, believing that every individual has the ability to enhance their own self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-acceptance through a therapeutic alliance built on unconditional positive regard and empathy. “I believe my clients have everything they need already within them.” You can expect a warm and empathetic approach in sessions with Laura, as she places her greatest emphasis on creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for you to bring anything you would like into discussion. Laura employs active listening, validating emotions, and collaborating with you where you’re at in your journey. As you process, Laura may encourage you to become aware of your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations in the moment, as well as examining patterns of behavior and relationships over time. 

Laura has experience working with individuals across the lifespan struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, present relationships, communication breakdown, and life transitions. Laura is LGBTQ+ affirming and welcomes clients from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.