Laura Keating

Hello! I’m Laura, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate at Dayspring Behavioral Health in Issaquah. I recently graduated from Bastyr University and bring years of hands‑on experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and parents/caregivers. My roles as an HIV preventionist, therapeutic childcare therapist, preschool teacher, nanny, and birth doula inform a warm, practical approach to supporting development, behavior, coping skills, and family dynamics. I support clients ages 3 and up with a gentle, person‑centered presence and an open, compassionate approach.

Who I work with

I work with children, teens, young adults, adults, and parents/caregivers, especially those navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and family or relationship challenges. I draw on evidence‑based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma‑Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Narrative Therapy, and play‑ and art‑based methods for children (with art‑based options available for adults who choose them), tailoring tools to each person’s needs and developmental stage.

How I work

I am a Person‑Centered and Trauma‑Informed therapist: I meet you where you are, move at your pace, and treat you as the expert of your life. Sessions are collaborative and skills‑focused with clear psychoeducation, behavioral experiments, short between‑session practices, somatic grounding, and narrative techniques to explore meaning and identity. I strongly believe one size does not fit all; I adapt approaches to fit your needs and wishes, co‑creating a plan that feels respectful, useful, and realistic. I do not assign formal homework, but I encourage continuing to practice and engage with your toolbox skills between sessions to support steady progress. I prioritize safety and regulation for trauma work, offer step‑by‑step coping plans for anxiety and depression, and often close sessions with a grounding practice—breathing, shaking, or “dancing it out”—to help the body settle.

About me

I’m drawn to this work because small, practical shifts can create big relief. Outside of the office you’ll find me hunting for cozy coffee shops and indie bookstores, planning short ferry day trips to nearby islands, curling up with a rom‑com, enjoying local music, and cooking or baking to connect with family and friends. I’d be honored to meet you and offer compassionate, practical support as you take the next steps.