- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions support
- Life purpose focus
About Laurie
Laurie Ann Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) practicing in Texas with five years as an LPC and over a decade in behavioral health roles. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, addictions, low self-esteem, depression, and life changes. Laurie also focuses on communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation and loneliness, and questions about life purpose.
She uses straightforward conversation and practical skills to help people manage strong feelings. Sessions often focus on coping strategies for mood symptoms and habits linked to substance use. Laurie helps clients name painful thoughts, test unhelpful beliefs, and practice small changes that build confidence.
Her training includes a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Addictions from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Laurie draws on that background when supporting people who want different patterns around substances and behaviors. She explains steps clearly and sets concrete practice between meetings.
Laurie aims to address guilt and shame directly so people can move toward healthier self-regard. She pays attention to communication skills when relationship friction or misunderstandings come up. Work on life purpose is about clarifying values and trying out choices that feel more meaningful.
People who feel stuck after a job change, breakup, health shift, or parenting transition often come with specific, immediate problems. Laurie focuses on short-term wins and steady progress. To begin, prospective clients are invited to review online therapy options and complete a brief matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session.
Therapeutic techniques and online sessions
Laurie often uses evidence-based techniques that focus on changing thoughts and behavior. Cognitive-style approaches help people spot unhelpful thinking patterns, test new ideas, and reduce anxiety or low mood by practicing different responses. Behavioral strategies target habits and routines, useful for managing addictions and building steady coping skills.Another common strand is skills training for communication and emotion regulation. That work teaches concrete ways to say what matters, set boundaries, and handle intense feelings without escalating conflict. These methods are practical and skill-focused, aimed at real-world situations like work stress or difficult conversations.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist collaborates with each person to match techniques to their needs, goals, and preferences. Clients and therapist review what helps and adjust the plan as therapy progresses.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week and reduce travel time. They also allow shorter check-ins or camera-off options when that suits someone's bandwidth or schedule. Confirm current session options during the initial matching step so arrangements match your day-to-day life.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
Texas
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include communication problems, guilt and shame, isolation, and life purpose.
What is her general approach to feeling stuck?
She uses practical conversation and skills practice to address stuckness. Sessions aim to identify unhelpful thoughts, try small behavioral changes, and build steady momentum.
How long has she worked in behavioral health?
She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, with five years specifically as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensed in Texas and holds a Master of Science in Counseling with a specialization in Addictions.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients be seen?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
What is the cost and how are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.