Laura Lu

Note: Laura’s approximate waitlist lengths are the following: 5 months long for individual counselling, 3+ months long for couples counselling, and 1-2 months long for psychedelic integration. If you wish to be on any of her waitlists, email her directly at laura@thrivedowntown.com.

Being human is hard. Sometimes, the waves of the human experience feel like they’re engulfing us, and we feel swallowed up by grief, terror, shame, sorrow, or confusion. Other times, we may feel so disconnected and numb from ourselves, others, and the world we live in, that we wonder whether a meaningful life is possible.

Perhaps there are parts of your mind and heart that are fighting with each other, and you’re living day-to-day wrestling with constant inner turmoil. Or perhaps, you are simply too exhausted to fight any longer.

Or maybe you are tired of repeating the same old patterns and finding yourself in the same place you once were: frustrated and perplexed as to how you can break out of a cycle that is no longer serving you. You feel that it is time for a change, but you’re not sure how to proceed.

Taking the first (or fiftieth!) step towards healing may feel difficult and scary. You may wonder how anyone could possibly understand the despair, chaos, or pain in your mind and soul. You may be confused and overwhelmed about where to start. I’m here to tell you: what you’re feeling is normal. You don’t have to know how to take the next step – simply finding yourself on this page demonstrates a glimmer of courage and hope that you’re ready for an important step in your healing journey.

In our sessions together, you can show up exactly how you are: afraid, heartbroken, confused, wounded, enraged, curious, lonely, anxious, hopeful, excited, uncertain… It is my privilege to meet you wherever you are in the moment with compassion, safety, trust, and understanding, while acting as a mirror so you can look deeper within yourself, and step out of your comfort zone – when you feel ready.

Everyone has a story that shapes the person they become. Together, we will explore the parts of your story that may have once felt too heavy or difficult to look at. Rest assured that this time, you won’t be alone. My aim is to walk alongside you in exploring and redefining your story, so you can move forward in your life with greater ease, connectedness, grounding, and clarity.

My purpose is not to have all the answers for you. My role is to serve as a guide so that you may discover the intuitive wisdom and capacity for healing you have within, all while gently helping you realize you that you were never broken: that you are deeply whole, as you are.

With my practice grounded in anti-oppressive, culturally sensitive, and social justice principles, I view therapy as an individual pursuit of collective liberation. Our work together will be deeply relational and my understanding of you will be shaped by who you are within your contexts: your identities, your past and present relationships, your family history, the cultures that you have been touched by, and larger societal systems. By first understanding who you are, we may then start to uncover your most authentic and connected self – who you were truly meant to be.