Healing Haven Assessment & Counseling
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or need someone to talk to, we'd be honored to walk alongside you on your journey.
Meet Your Therapist
Laura Schwades, Counselor, LMHC
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in FL with a Master's degree in Psychology with an emphasis on addictions and nearly 11 years of experience providing therapy to adolescents and their families and young adults. I help adolescents and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. A typical treatment plan includes building trust, developing coping skills, and exploring the root causes of distress. Sessions are tailored to your unique needs and pace. You can expect to feel more understood, empowered, and equipped to manage life's challenges.
I know that taking the first step toward therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you're carrying the weight of anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use. My goal is to provide adolescents and young adults a space where you feel safe, heard, and never judged, a space where you can begin to explore your thoughts and emotions at your own pace. I’m here to support you in understanding your experiences, building healthy coping skills, and gaining confidence in yourself. Together, we’ll work toward your goals, whether that’s managing overwhelming emotions, healing from past pain, or simply feeling more like yourself again.
If you are reading this, it likely means you are going through something difficult, and I want you to know that you are not alone. Whether you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in sadness, or trying to make sense of past trauma or substance use, I see your courage in looking for support. It takes strength to ask for help, and I truly honor that step.
Whether you are just starting out or have tried therapy before, this is your space, and I am here to help guide you through it. You do not have to carry it all alone. Healing takes time. But it starts with a single step, and I would be honored to be part of that journey with you. If you are ready to talk, I invite you to reach out. I am here when you are ready.
About Healing Haven Assessment & Counseling
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if it is your first time or you are unsure of what to expect. That is why I make our first session together as welcoming, comfortable, and low-pressure as possible. My goal is to help you feel at ease, supported, and understood from the very beginning.
The first session is all about getting to know each other and beginning to build a strong therapeutic relationship. We won't dive into anything too deep right away unless you feel ready. Instead, I will spend time learning about you; what's been going on in your life, what led you to seek therapy, and what you're hoping to get out of our time together.
You can expect a conversation that feels more like a dialogue than an interview. I may ask questions about your mood, relationships, school, family, or past experiences, not to overwhelm you, but to help me understand your world and how I can best support you. This is also you chance to ask questions about the therapy process, talk about any concerns, and get a feel for whether I am the right fit for you. I truly believe therapy works best when there is a strong sense of comfort between the client and therapist.
I am especially mindful of creating a space where you feel heard and not judged. It is important to me that you feel in control of your own story. We will go at your pace, there is no pressure to open up right away. You can share as much or as little as your are comfortable with.
By the end of our first session, we will begin to outline some general goals for therapy, based on what you want to work on. These goals may evolve over time, but they give is a direction and a starting point. We will also talk about what future sessions might look like, including how often we will meet and what kinds of strategies or tools we might use together.
Most importantly, I want you to leave that first session feeling like you were truly listened to and that is a safe space where you can come exactly as you are. Therapy is your space, and I am here to walk alongside you, step by step.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to truly connect with adolescents and young adults in a way that feels safe, respectful, and non-judgmental. I understand that teens and young adults often feel misunderstood or dismissed, especially when dealing with serious issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use. I have spent 11 years working with this population and their families, and I have learned how to meet them where they are, with patience, empathy, and genuine curiosity about their experiences.
What makes my therapeutic approach unique is my person-centered foundation. I do not walk into sessions with a fixed agenda, I listen first. I believe that each person brings their own story, needs, and strengths to therapy, and I tailor my work to reflect that. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or diagnoses, I focus on the whole person: their relationships, emotions, values, and goals. This helps build a stronger therapeutic alliance and fosters lasting, meaningful growth.
In terms of method, I blend evidence-based practices with an individualized approach. I draw from modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care, but I never apply these tools in a one-size-fits-all way. My ability to adapt based on what a client needs in the moment allows for flexibility, responsiveness, and greater client comfort.
Another strength is my ability to create an atmosphere of calm and emotional safety. Clients often tell me they feel heard and supported without feeling pressured or judged. This is especially important when working with teens and young adults, who may be hesitant to open up. I know that trust is earned over time, and I give clients the space to build that trust at their own pace.
Over the years, I have helped many adolescents and young adults develop healthier coping strategies, gain insight into their emotions and behaviors, and make powerful changes in their lives. Whether a client is working through trauma, learning to manage anxiety, or finding their identity, I am committed to walking alongside them with compassion and respect. I believe deeply in their resilience, and I work to help them see that strength within themselves.
At the heart of my work is a belief in the power of connection and healing through relationships. Therapy is not just about solving problems, it is about helping people feel seen, valued, and empowered to live with greater confidence and purpose. That is what drives me, and that is what I strive to bring into every session.
I am best positioned to serve adolescents (13-17) and young adults (18-24) who are struggling to make sense of their emotions, behaviors, and life experiences. My ideal clients are teens and young adults who may feel overwhelmed, lost, anxious, or misunderstood; those who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or substance use and don’t know how to express what they are feeling or how to cope with what they are going through.
Often, my clients come to therapy carrying a heavy emotional load. They may be dealing with academic or social pressure, family conflict, low self-esteem, or unresolved trauma. Some may be engaging in unhealthy behaviors or withdrawing from the people and activities they once cared about. Others might just feel stuck, like something is wrong but they can’t quite name it. These teens and young often want to feel better, more in control, and more connected to themselves and others, but don’t know how to get there.
What they share is a desire for someone to listen, truly listen, without judgment or expectation. They want a space where they can be honest, even about the things that feel scary, confusing, or painful. They want to be heard, understood, and respected. Many have tried to “push through” on their own, but they have realized that healing requires support, and they are ready to ask for help.
As a therapist, I bring a calm, compassionate, and non-judgmental presence. I meet clients where they are, emotionally and mentally, and work at a pace that feels right for them. I help them build trust, both in me and in themselves, so they can start to make sense of what they’re experiencing and begin to feel more grounded and empowered.
Therapy with me is not about forcing change, it’s about creating space for growth. I tailor every session to the individual, drawing from evidence-based approaches and person-centered care. My goal is to help adolescents and young adults gain insight, develop healthier ways of coping, and build the confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges.
- Addiction
- Alcohol Use
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Behavioral Issues
- Coping Skills
- Depression
- Drug Abuse
- Impulse Control Disorders
- Peer Relationships
- School issues
- Self Esteem
- Self-Harming, Stress
- Substance Abuse
- Suicidal Ideation
- Teen Violence
- Trauma
- PTSD
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Intervention
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person - Centered
- Trauma Focused
- Aetna
- Cigna and Evernorth
- Carelon Behavioral Health
- UnitedHealthcare UHC| UBH
- Quest Behavioral Health
Sliding Scale: If eligible, ask for more details
- Cash
- American Express
- Discover
- Mastercard
- Visa
- Venmo
- Zelle