What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is both science and art. In technical terms, it is a relational process built upon a trusting and empathic collaboration with a trained therapist, which facilitates psychological healing, discovery, and self-actualization.
In more practical terms, it is the process of sitting and talking in a private, safe, and comfortable space with a therapist who is attuned to helping to identify and alleviate mental and emotional discomfort and tension.
That sounds boring. Is it boring?
No! I get it, though. Some people think the idea of therapy sounds very boring. But it really isn’t. It can be powerful and profound, insightful, and energizing! It is often funny! Psychotherapy involves accessing and bringing parts of ourselves to light that we typically don’t or can’t, for one reason or another. It involves discovery, catharsis, reinvention, healing, etc… If the therapy feels boring, then something isn’t quite lining up, and it’s the therapist’s job to figure out what that is.
What services do you offer?
Currently, Bay Leaf Therapy offers adult individual psychotherapy. We also offer short-term couples or family counseling. Eventually, we will be offering workshops and possibly group therapy options. Stay tuned!
What is your “style” of psychotherapy?
My therapeutic style is adaptive and integrative, and centers around a foundation of developing robust, supportive therapeutic rapport. This therapeutic alliance is best characterized by warmth, curiosity, humor, non-judgment, authenticity, and attunement.
In developing my clinical conceptualizations and interventions, I draw from a combination of trauma-informed evidence-based clinical modalities and theories, such as psychodynamic, relational, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, prolonged exposure, and acceptance and commitment therapies. My work is also informed by developments in neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and attachment theory.
What is your area of expertise?
I work with adults and occasionally transitioning youth ages 17+. I have extensive experience working with people with ADHD, anxiety, depression, acute trauma, complex and relational trauma, ASD, social anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem issues, substance use disorders, grief, and more. You are welcome to contact me and if I feel your area of concern is not one within my scope of practice, I will help you to identify resources that will be better suited.
Why is it called Bay Leaf Therapy?
The Bay tree is also known as a bay laurel or laurel tree. These trees are meaningful to Laurel both because of their shared name and because the beautiful and aromatic trees are reminders of home.
Are you an LGBTQ+ ally?
Yes! I strongly support the identities, rights, and protections of sexual and gender minorities. I also acknowledge that, while I am always learning, I may sometimes fall short in my understanding of the complexities of some of those experiences. I take an approach of genuine curiosity and compassion, and am grateful for every chance clients bring to expand my competence and capacity to support and affirm their unique identities and the challenges that come with them.
How much does therapy cost?
My current rate is $150 per 60 minute session. I accept out of pocket clients on a sliding scale based on need.
Where do you meet?
I hold sessions in person at my office at 8 Beaver Meadow Rd. in Norwich, VT or via telehealth/phone.
Do you accept insurance?
Unfortunately, I don’t currently accept insurance, although it’s something I am actively working toward. I do provide a superbill for clients to submit to their insurance companies that cover out of network providers.
How long does therapy take to “work”?
The benefits of therapy can often start to be felt after the first session. But the deeper, more transformative aspects of therapeutic intervention can take longer. Each person is bringing a completely unique combination of goals, strengths, experiences, challenges, stressors, and capacities to the work. We can work together to identify what feels right and when it makes sense to end or pause our work together.
Laurel Cooney, LICSW 