Laura Salazar

Last updated: 03 Oct, 2021

Hi Laura! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for the families in our community. We would love if you could start by telling us a little bit about you:

Q: What made you decide to become a therapist?

My personal mission is to reconcile relationships - between people, with the self, and with God. My practice name is RE counseling which is short for Relationship Enhancement. I like the prefix RE- because it means "new" or "again." Often when people start counseling they are looking for a fresh start and to feel like themselves again. As a teen I needed someone outside my family to talk to but I didn't really have any (emotionally) safe adults. My desire to be a counselor started with wanting to work with kids and be the person I didn't have.

Q: How many years have you been practicing?

Since 2015, 6 years.

Q: What licenses and certifications do you have and which professional organizations do you belong to?

Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT) I have been certified as a trauma therapist to practice EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and belong to EMDRIA professionally.

Q: What is your general philosophy and approach to helping? Are you more directive or more guiding?

My therapeutic approach tends toward behavioral therapies that are more practical and directive than some other approaches. I'm trained as a family therapist so I always want to find out how a client grew up and what their current family context is like. In EMDR we believe that each person's brain will naturally grow toward healing, similar to how when you cut your finger, you may not have to do much for it to heal. Your body naturally responds to pain by sending the necessary ingredients for healing to that part of the body. Sometimes an infection can get in the way of that natural healing process, and that's how I think about trauma. Some people experience trauma and never need counseling because the brain processes it well. Other times, it seems like an experience gets stuck and you're not finding any movement or healing. That's when it's a good idea to seek therapy. I really enjoy using "bottom up" approaches that include the body and nervous system in emotional processing.

Q: How often do you seek peer consultation?

As often as necessary. I have a couple groups of other therapists I am in that meet monthly. Some of my best friends are also therapists, so I can consult on a less formal basis more often. (Note: In peer consultation, no client identifying information is shared.)

Q: How do you set up counseling goals? What are they like? What is success for you?

I set up goals collaboratively with my clients. Usually people say they want to "feel better." I help them find more concrete and tangible goals that make it easier to measure small steps along the way. For birth trauma, our clinical goals will be things like having fewer intrusive thoughts, less avoidance of triggers, and a more positive outlook toward future birth settings as well as a more positive relationship with the baby. Success for me is working myself out of a job! When a client learns to do what they need to be healthy emotionally on their own or in their own friendships and communities, my work is done for now. Clients are always welcome to reach back out if another need arises.

Q: What is a typical session like? How long are the sessions?

A normal therapy session is 45-50 minutes long. I do offer these weekly. A normal session may start with a mindfulness exercise to begin, then checking in about progress the client has seen since we last met and asking the client what they need that day in line with our treatment plan. Sometimes we sit and talk the whole time, but other times I offer resources and exercises to practice together in session. Toward the end of the session, I usually ask clients what they are taking away from our time together.

Using EMDR I also utilize longer sessions, sometimes 90 minutes up to 3 hours at a time. I offer EMDR intensives that can be half day (3-4 hours) or full day (5-6 hours).

Q: What kind of homework/reading do you give clients?

It depends on what they're coming in for. On my website I have a list of resources I commonly refer to. Homework is generally very specific to each client. I do like to use behavioral approaches which lend themselves to worksheets for mindfulness skills, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and assertiveness skills.

Q: How would I prepare for my first session?

I have clients fill out a thorough amount of paperwork in their client portal to prepare for the first session. Maybe just take a deep breath and ask a friend to encourage you if you feel nervous!

Q: Where will you see me? At your office? Do you offer virtual options?

I do have an office downtown and prefer in person sessions. Virtual sessions can be an option if the client is an appropriate fit.

Q: How much is an initial visit with you? Is any of this covered by insurance?

I charge $125 an hour. I do accept some insurance plans currently, but check my website for the most up to date information.

Q: What kind of services do you offer currently, and how could someone get in touch with you?

I have a 6 week postpartum therapy group currently. I also offer individual and family sessions. The best way to contact me is by scheduling a free phone consultation on my website