Creating a safe, supportive space where kids and teens can be their authentic selves.
Laura McLean, LMFT—Child & Teen Therapist
Meet Laura (she/her)
Hi, I’m Laura, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience helping people grow, heal, and connect with their best selves. I’ve spent much of my career working in community and school settings, supporting children, teens, and young adults through life’s challenges with empathy, creativity, and humor.
As a mom, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate today’s world—especially when it comes to raising confident and empathetic kids who feel comfortable forging their own sense of identity while also working within the education system to advocate for their needs. That personal experience deeply informs my work and helps me connect with parents and families in a meaningful way.
I specialize in working with young people who have experienced trauma or struggle with anxiety, depression, focus, or peer relationships. For the past eight years, I’ve provided mental health support to students with IEPs, helping them build self-regulation skills, improve school experiences, and strengthen friendships.
Outside of work, you’ll often find me in my garden or spending time with my chickens. I believe in the healing power of nature and am currently training to become a Horticultural Therapist, weaving that love of growth—both literal and personal—into my work.
If you’re looking for a therapist who brings warmth, creativity, and a down-to-earth approach to healing, I’d be honored to support your journey.
What it’s Like to Work With Me
In therapy, I strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and even fun—a place where kids and teens can be their authentic selves while learning new ways to cope and thrive.
My approach is client-centered and collaborative, drawing from mindfulness, CBT, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques. I strive to create a space that feels safe, supportive, and even fun, often using art, games, and laughter to help kids open up and grow.
I specialize in supporting youth who are:
Neurodivergent (including ADHD and autism)
LGBTQ+ or exploring their identity
Current or former foster youth
Experiencing or recovering from homelessness
Teen parents navigating unique challenges
Struggling with self-harm, depression, or anxiety
Adjusting to major life transitions or stress
The Human Behind the Therapist
My Favorite Things
Gardening-growing food and flowers
Teaching gardening to young people. I was a gardening teacher and it led me to finding Horticultural Therapy and a way to combine my passion for mental health with gardening. Plants are so healing!
Chickens! I currently have 12 after starting with just 2. Chicken math is a real thing!
Animals. Besides chickens we have a bunny and 2 dogs. I have always had animals in my life and have had every pet imaginable growing up.
I love pollinators and my garden is a registered Monarch Waystation.
Crafting, writing, design, program development-anything creative-just don’t ask me to draw anything!
Watching my kids grow into full-fledged humans.
Sushi! I’ll fight you over the last roll.
Coffee!
Getting lost in nature!
My Quirks
I’m clumsy and usually have a coffee stain on me somewhere.
I’ll talk about chickens to anyone who will listen.
I talk with my hands. If you sit next to me at dinner or when spilling the tea you will probably get hit. My friends rotate sitting next to me.
My kids would say “I’m weird” and I would agree.
I mispronounce a lot of words and laugh about it. Thanks Dyslexia!
The stickers on my water bottle will tell you everything you need to know about me.