LAURA KIERNAN, LSW

Therapist

Pronouns: She/Her
Locations: Andersonville & The Loop
Language(s) I Speak: English

Not Accepting New Clients

AREAS OF FOCUS

  • ADHD & Attention Issues
  • Behavioral Issues
  • Body Image
  • Eating Disorders & Food Management
  • Family & Relationship Conflict
  • Gender Exploration, Expression & Identity Affirmation
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Kink, Sex Positivity & Sex Work
  • Life Transitions
  • Mood Disorders (Bipolar, Depression, Major Depression)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • School Issues
  • Self-Harm
  • Social & Restorative Justice
  • Stress & Coping
  • Transgender & Transitioning
  • Trauma & PTSD

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in a therapeutic relationship that is nurturing, supportive, and energetic, where folks are free to question, grow, and change. As a queer therapist with lived mental health experience, honoring your story is important to me. As such, I am always looking for new ways and perspectives to approach the intersections of identity, history, and values. I often look for patterns and adaptations you might not see, and seek to bring them into the room respectfully and with the utmost sensitivity to your needs.

THERAPY WITH ME

I seek to understand where you’re coming from and co-create a space where genuine communication can occur and flourish. I am direct and relational in my approach to therapy, drawing on a variety of treatment modalities, with a focus on finding realistic and meaningful solutions to problems large and small. I want you to feel empowered to find your own answers, but I am happy to offer my own insights and ideas, as well. I come to therapy from a place of curiosity and empathy, and I hope to help you understand yourself better through a kind and compassionate lens.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

License:

  • Licensed Social Worker (License No. 150112125)
    Practicing under the supervision of Dr. Leesa Contorino, PsyD-L (License No. 071010237)

Degrees:

  • MSW with a Mental Health Concentration, Loyola University Chicago
  • Juris Doctor, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University
  • BA in Music Performance & English, Albion College

CLIENTS I WORK WITH

  • Individuals (Children, Adolescents, Adults)
  • Families (Chosen, Family of Origin)
  • Relationships (Couples, Open, Marital/Pre-Marital,  Polyamorous/Polycule, Separation/Divorce)

TYPES OF THERAPY

Body-Mind Psychotherapy, Collaborative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), Feminist Therapy, Group Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mindfulness Based Interventions, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian Therapy), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Systems Theory/Therapy.

ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS