Laura Clarke, LPC - Therapist in Oregon

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Emotionally-Focused Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

About Laura

Laura Clarke is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Oregon with four years of experience. She works with adults on relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, depression, eating concerns, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and ADHD. Sessions and goals are shaped around what each person brings to the room.

Laura uses practical, down-to-earth language in sessions. She pays attention to patterns that cause ongoing guilt or shame and helps people name the thoughts and behaviors that keep those feelings active. Conversations focus on what someone can try between sessions and how to notice small shifts in day-to-day life.

Her approach draws on several methods that aim to change unhelpful thinking and increase emotional awareness. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to challenge thinking patterns and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills for managing intense feelings. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) ideas also inform how she works with values and close relationships.

Laura has worked with people facing a wide range of related concerns, including attachment and abandonment issues, adoption and foster care questions, body image, blended family matters, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and sexual subcultures such as BDSM and kink. She also notes experience with autism spectrum traits and co-occurring conditions.

In a first session she asks about history, current concerns, and short-term goals. She explains her ways of working and answers questions. People often leave with a clear idea of next steps and a small, practical skill to try before the next meeting.

How her approaches translate to online work

Laura draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy in session. ACT supports noticing difficult thoughts and choosing actions that align with personal values rather than trying to eliminate feelings. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing them with practical exercises. EFT concentrates on how emotions show up in close relationships and on changing interaction patterns that cause hurt.

Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. She will talk with each person about their goals, life context, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they pick methods and experiments to try and revisit them as progress and needs change.

The practical benefits of online work usually involve fitting sessions into a busy life. Confirm the exact session formats before booking since the biography does not list specific delivery methods. Online sessions can reduce travel time, make it easier to keep appointments around work or caregiving, and allow shorter check-ins when a full session isn’t possible. A therapist and client will agree on what works best for scheduling and for the kinds of exercises they plan to use.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesTrauma and abuse Intimacy-related issues Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Eating disordersBipolar disorderCoping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issues Autism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issues Body imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issues Mood disorders Multicultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

4+ years

Listed in

Oregon

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self-esteem concerns, depression, eating issues, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and ADHD.

How would she approach guilt or shame in therapy?

She looks at the thoughts and behavior patterns that keep guilt or shame active and introduces skills from CBT and DBT to shift those patterns and manage intense feelings.

What is her background and experience?

She is an LPC with four years of experience working in mental health settings with adults and adolescents on a range of concerns.

Where is she based and what credential does she hold?

She practices in Oregon and holds the credential Licensed Professional Counselor, abbreviated LPC.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she work with clients outside the United States?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions arranged and what does it cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time; confirm pricing details when you match and schedule.

What do I need to do to start?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.