Laura Shughart , LCSW, CSW

Laura Shughart is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who also holds a CSW credential and brings eight years of clinical experience supporting people through difficult life moments. She works with clients across a broad range of concerns including stress and anxiety, addiction and recovery, sleep problems, anger management, depression, relationship and family issues, grief, intimacy-related concerns, self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes. Additional areas of focus include adoption and foster care, attachment concerns, body image, caregiver stress, communication difficulties, divorce and separation, first responder issues, and compassion fatigue.

Her practice emphasizes a compassionate, collaborative, client-centered stance. She approaches each person as the expert in their own story and centers therapy on the strengths a person already has while offering structure and guidance to reach their goals. Laura uses a combination of practical skills and reflective conversation to help clients build coping strategies, clarify values, and make meaningful change at a pace that feels manageable.

Taking the step to seek help often requires courage, and Laura frames her role as a supportive partner in the process of healing and growth. Her work is grounded in respect, curiosity, and a steady commitment to helping people navigate transitions and regain a sense of balance.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Laura integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and building a collaborative relationship so clients can explore their values and make choices that fit their lives. CBT offers practical tools to identify and reshape unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be especially useful for managing anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

She also draws on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills when needed, teaching emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help people handle intense feelings and strengthen relationships. Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process - Laura works with each person to understand their goals, preferences, and circumstances and then tailors techniques that fit their needs.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make the work more accessible and flexible for people juggling busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or health limitations. These options allow licensed professionals to deliver consistent support and practical skills training in a way that fits the client’s life and pace.