Laura Phen, LPC

Laura Phen is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with 25 years of clinical experience. She offers a calm, direct style and helps people facing anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy concerns, trauma, and related struggles. She aims to create an open, trusting space where people can talk and feel heard.

Laura centers conversations on the person in front of her and on what matters most to them. She uses practical tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different actions. She also draws on client-centered ways of working to follow each person’s pace and priorities.

Sessions often address the everyday problems that wear people down. That can include sleep difficulties, stress and compassion fatigue, parenting strain, anger, or challenges at work. She also supports people dealing with grief, chronic health issues, and life stage questions such as aging or changes after service in the armed forces.

Her approach mixes skills-based work and reflective conversation. Dialectical behavior therapy elements are used when helping people manage intense emotions and build coping skills. Mindfulness practices are offered as tools for slowing down and noticing thoughts without judgment.

Laura practices in South Dakota and holds Arizona and Oregon LPC credentials. If you want to explore whether she might be a fit, complete the site matching questionnaire and schedule a session to discuss your goals.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and following the client’s lead. In practice this means sessions begin with what matters most to you and proceed at your pace, with the therapist reflecting and responding to your priorities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches clear techniques to spot unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviors. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Laura will talk with you about your goals and test different tools together. That collaborative process helps shape whether more skills training, mindfulness practice, or client-centered conversation fits best for your situation.

Session formats are not specified in the available biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit conversations into a busy day, avoid travel time, or choose a shorter check-in when needed. Many people find video or phone meetings help them keep continuity of care while managing work, parenting, or service-related commitments.