About me
Having returned to grad school to become a therapist at the midpoint of my life, I bring a wealth of knowledge from being a parent, a preschool teacher, a 7th grade Waldorf teacher, an art instructor, a graphic designer and copyrighter, and an art consultant for over 24 years. My school trajectory took me from UCLA to SF's Art Academy, San Jose State to Sac State, a Waldorf-training college and finally to San Francisco's CIIS.
What I've learned is that the act of becoming a therapist means you are a good listener and humbled each time a human being opens their heart to you. To that end, I work diligently to understand and tailor each treatment I design to work specifically with the client in front of me. I work with teens particularly around depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues and challenges and school issues such as loneliness, bulllying, etc. I also help teens with autism, ADHD and those who are facing tough choices, whether at home or around their future. Not only have I worked with teens individually, I have also helped teens involved in custody issues and created expressive art groups for teenage girls to feel more solidarity, more empowerment, working through issues like cutting, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, etc. The beauty of these groups is in creating a safe and inviting place where people feel comfortable to let their guard down and share their innermost thoughts and channel those feelings not only verbally, but also artistically.
I relish the empathy and dignity of Person-Centered Therapy because I firmly believe that each person knows themselves best and can apply what they learn when they are given the tools and perspective to see solutions within the framework of the very problems they brought to therapy in the first place. Being an EXA therapist means that I employ the Expressive Arts (poetry, rap, photography, 2D and 3D art, dance, sculpture, writing, drama, music, gardening, and cooking, and eco-art) into the healing process. The art becomes another tool and a living testament to the fact that healing is happening. My style of therapy focuses upon being sensitive, empathetic with a healthy dash of questions. My sessions are usually filled with interactive games, art, laughter, meditation and yes, breakthroughs and tears - all the range of possible human expression. More importantly, teens need to feel acknowledged, heard, seen. To even seek help is monumental and requires courage, especially when things seem really dark. I'm here to support and guide my clients to. a place where we can jointly discover solutions that you can apply the next hour, the next day and see results
People tell me they come away from their session feeling happier, lighter, clearer and understood. I have great compassion for the people I see, whether via telehealth or in-person. My goal is to be fully present, listening, supporting, acknowledging and empowering you forward, however that next chapter appears. I look forward to hearing from you!
Specialties
- Relationships
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem, Motivation
- Coping with life changes
Stress, Anxiety , Addictions , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Intimacy-related issues , Sleeping disorders , Anger management , Depression , Coaching , ADHD , Aging and Geriatric Issues , Attachment issues , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Client-Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
Years of Experience: 5
Services offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
CA LMFT 132096
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Laurie Richardson. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with Teen Counseling might be different.
I’ve never trusted Or was confident in a therapy. But she has helped me very much in a short time and is very understanding and supportive. I highly recommend Laurie.
Laurie is an attentive and caring in the most professional and humane way. I am grateful to have the chance to work with her.
Laurie has the gift, the soul and deep intelligence to listen and help me get a handle on what has been around for a long time and also to deal with new issues that are arising. I always feel seen and heard, never rushed, I like how I feel after my sessions.
Laurie has been instrumental in helping my daughter manage a very difficult time.
Wow. Just Wow. A beautiful listener and a trustworthy confidant. I Acknowledge her insight to Family and suggesting writing rather than a phone call. the caring and compassion she brings to the conversation is priceless.
I love my weekly chats with Laurie, she brings the understanding and perspectives that I’ve been looking by for.
Going through the toughest part of my life and I truly feel a big change just in a matter of a few weeks already with Laurie.
She is very welcoming and personable. Makes it easy to talk to, she most certainly listens to you and wants to understand and help you.
Laurie is a fantastic listener with open eyes and asks probing yet funny questions. I feel very supported and love her extra art forms she introduces into the sessions.
She is AMAZING!
Truly cares about others in a way that hasn't been seen in many other psychological professionals
She really listened and had my back, she open my eyes to many things, thank you
She is so caring and loving and has this amazing energy about her where you feel seen, heard and respected. I love her!
Laurie has a wealth of experience with narcissistic abuse and narcissistic family systems. Her knowledge and experience has supported me on my therapeutic journey to peace and moving forward. I would highly recommend her services and the support system of teencounseling.com.
Lori is a wonderful human who will listen to you and sincerely cares about your well-being
Laurie’s support during a difficult time in my life was essential for my emotional well-being. We used a few fun, artful methods that brought me clarity and comfort. I really appreciate her help and would highly recommend her to others.
Laurie has been wonderful to work with. She listens, explains and suggests ways to assist me in working through my concerns.
I've been working with Laurie for a couple of months now, I was a little hesitant at first trying out therapy again due to having bad experiences in the past, but she supports me in every way that she can. She is great.
Laurie is such a wonderful human being! She really listened to what I needed and helped me work through all the things that I needed to talk about. She was able to lead me through discussions in a way that made me feel heard and understood. I highly recommend Laurie to anyone who is looking for therapy and really needs a good listener!
Laurie,
Is extremely caring and supportive she is wonderful
Laurie has been extremely helpful during my very complicated life over that last 6 months. She has provided a safe, non judgemental space for me to talk and I really feel more at peace especially after the meditations she has offered. She has been flexible with scheduling appointments and quickly responds to messages. I look forward to our weekly sessions and I appreciate knowing she is there when I need help.
Laurie was a phenomenal therapist. She makes you feel seen and heard, but she also helped me process a traumatic event that I found myself avoiding for years. She helped me with providing resources on not only bettering myself, but just finding myself and loving me for who I am today. I could not recommend her enough, if you’re lucky enough to have her in your corner as a therapist - I truly believe you will get through whatever you’re going through.
I feel at ease with Laurie Richardson. She is respectful and encourages me to be myself. She has experience and training in knowledge and methods that I prefer.
Thoughtful and encouraging
Laurie is an outstanding therapist. She listens, pushes the communication forward, and focuses on your strengths. Laurie is “real.” I appreciate her expert insight. I am not an easy person and she gives the space to be myself and then centers my thoughts. She is the best therapist I have ever spoken to in my 53 years.
Laurie is… a breath of fresh air, a nice break from the mundane. I have been doing so much work but Laurie was the one that helped me piece it all together. She’s such a warm soul it’s a nice change up from what we’re all used to in life. Honestly you’re a damn fool to not hire her. She goes above and beyond even if it’s not in her job description. You will never find a more genuine, humble, empathetic soul.
Laurie and I have been having regular sessions since August and I’m spite of my initial reservations about virtual sessions, Laurie very quickly built a strong rapport resulting in valuable and constructive counselling. She has supported me through various difficult life events including bereavement and my associated grief, various physical and mental health issues. I have made such progress under Laurie’s kind, compassionate yet challenging guidance and made such progress in a relatively short period of time in working to address various issues with addiction and relationships which I have been unable to deal with for years. I am under no illusion that I would not be in the place I am today both physically and mentally if it wasn’t for Laurie’s interventions. I cannot recommend her enough!
Even though my daughter has only had a few sessions with Laurie and I’ve only met with her once I really feel that she is a good fit for my daughter . I love that Laurie uses creativity (eg drawing) as part of her therapy. Laurie also has a lovely sense of humour.
She is very down to earth and non-judgmental which I love
I only have had one session so far, but Laurie seemed understanding, compassionate and wise. I look forward to working with her further.
When I started teen counseling I was really going through a lot. I honestly wasn’t sure it was going to be helpful. But thankfully I was paired with Laurie! She’s been so helpful, I’ve learned different ways to cope with my problems and she’s an amazing listener. She’s helped me gain my self-esteem back and learn a lot about my self. Laurie truly is amazing, welcoming, understanding, and most of all caring. 10/10 recommend!
Working with Laurie has been an excellent experience. She is creative and brings her personality forward, which helps encourage my own openness. Laurie is prompt in her responses and availability, and shows that she really cares. It felt like hanging out with a friend, complete with sharing stories, jokes, and being relaxed together. Sometimes that made it difficult to focus on what I was working through. With only 45 minutes per week, it's a tough balance between comfort and progress. Overall I would highly recommend Laurie, above all because of how much she cares.
Laurie is kind, thoughtful, inquisitive and intelligent. She is very welcoming and warm and understanding as well as compassionate. I feel like she understands me and if she doesn’t she will seek clarification.
Drilling intuition and deep knowledge of the human soul! Highly recommended
Really enjoying the conversation.
Based on Laurie's description, and long list of expertise, we felt that she would be a great fit for us - and we were not disappointed! Our sessions always began with her rare brand of vulnerability, which immediately broke the ice during a tense chapter in our relationship. Laurie is so easy to talk to, funny, and very professional. We always felt lighter after every session, and appreciated her unique approach, highlighting different forms of play as a healing modality. If we return to couple's therapy, we will certainly be seeking Laurie again. Highly recommend this special human :)
Laurie is awesome to talk to. She’s understanding, and has several tools to improve communication and bolster the love in a relationship. My romantic situation is volatile, but she adapts and answers timely in the best way she can despite this.
Laurie is wonderful. She was able to make me feel comfortable in our first session by sharing her experiences but also diving into mine.
Laurie is awesome and she gives you a different take on how to handle things
Laurie is extremely helpful. She’s knowledgeable about our situation and offers real progress by working with us on our issues. We feel like we’re really lucky to have found her.
Today is my second session therapy with Laurie and I feel so good talking to her; is like if I know her for a long time. I have gained self confidence to make different choices for myself. Laurie is the best. I learned that I have control in my life. This is excellent for me, God sent me an Angel in the most needed time.
Thank you Laurie!
I really think Laurie is accurate professional and humourous
Laurie is simply wonderful! She has been instrumental in helping my husband me cope with grief. She has a big heart, and she helped us address and release darkness with her gentle kindness. Our sessions with her didn't feel like therapy...they felt like a great conversation with an old friend! I am forever grateful for her guidance and support through the most difficult time of our lives. She has also given us the tools to express ourselves and communicate more effectively when we are struggling. My husband had never been through therapy before, and this experience with Laurie has made him a total believer in the power of therapy! Thank you Laurie!!❤️
Laurie is easy to talk to and helps us focus on positive changes. She makes the communication between us less stressful because she selectively injects her personal experience to give us persepective. Laurie sends messages that encourage us and she appreciates how difficult it is to arrange appointments with 3 people who have other important connections to consider.
Laurie holds space and brings a really beautiful sense of kindness and compassion. I end every session, regardless of how raw it may have been, feeling grateful, heard and a little more healed.
Excellent counselor.
Laurie is an experienced therapist with a breadth of knowledge
She is a very knowledgeable, caring, concerned therapist who makes me feel strongly that she wants to help me
I was a little anxious about starting therapy, but knew it was a necessity in my life at the moment. Laurie was a good fit from the moment I read her profile and I look forward to interacting with her every day!
Couldn't be more grateful for a therapist like Laurie. Its so easy to talk to her. She really listens and I enjoy our conversations. So helpful for the grief and life changes I've been going through.
I really enjoy my sessions!
Laurie has been incredibly understanding and helpful. She was able to find the root cause of my issues and provided a road map to help me overcome them. Highly recommend!!!
First steps in therapy and Laurie makes it seamless. Excited to continue this work with her
She’s an awesome therapist who knows how to make the session fun and direct your thoughts in a positive direction rather than a negative one
Laurie is awesome! She’s a quick read and in just one session, she had me pegged. Bright, intuitive, highly creative, and very empathetic, she made some great observations of me. I feel comfortable working with her and sharing deep feelings and issues. Good therapists are not a dime a dozen. Laurie is a cut above the rest. Go see her!
Laurie understands and supports me in the best way. She is caring and thoughtful and genuinely concerned about my well-being. I love talking to her about literally everything. I would recommend her to anyone!