About Laura

 
 

Laura Tepen, LPC

“It takes great courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.”

- Oscar Wilde

About:

Laura is a mother of four neurosparkly kids and a huge nerd (Star Wars was her first fandom but she has many). She has a wide array of interests and loves learning about history, literature, science, and everything else. Laura loves crafting making art, and creative writing. She is good at connecting with others through their special interests and always has a new special interest herself. She enjoys traveling and making family trips an educational experience. Laura does nature photography and night photography in dark sky parks. In her free time, she is watching shows with her family, reading, writing novels, making crafts, and fostering kittens.

Theoretical Framework and Modalities:

Laura believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is the foundation of mental health counseling. She approaches her clients with the belief that every person deserves respect and empathy and is capable of growth. As a basis, Laura uses motivational interviewing and person-centered approaches to establish a relationship and use talk therapy. She connect with clients through their interests and incorporates art-making for self-expression and regulation. For trauma, Laura uses Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) therapy most often. For kids, movement and play are a big part of practicing regulation skills. She is excited to be a companion on her clients’ journeys towards recovery, growth, and self-actualization. All kinds of fidgeting and movement is welcome and Laura has plenty of space for it!

Laura’s Typical Clientele:

Laura enjoys working with neurodivergent people of most age groups and any gender identity, as well as working with kids and teens with ADHD, giftedness, and/or autism who want to grow their self-confidence. Laura has the most experience working with kids and teens ages 5 and up, as well as with young and middle aged adults. She enjoys career counseling for teens and young adults and supports academic planning to achieve those goals, including coping skills and accommodations for ADHD. It is Laura’s personal goal to help identify and treat young girls and women with ADHD who would otherwise be missed.

Education and Training:

Laura received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. She is currently pursuing her LCPC licensure. She is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR), Art and Play therapies.

Laura might be a good fit if:

  • You've always felt like you were different and want to learn to be your true self.

  • You're a kid who is smart but struggles with friends, school, or emotions.

  • You've felt like you're too much, or that the world is too much.

  • You prefer hands-on learning or you'd rather move than sit still.

  • You're a nerd or geek of any kind!