Laura Duffy

Laura Duffy is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in New Jersey who helps people facing anger, stress, and substance concerns. She focuses on clear, compassionate support and practical steps people can use day to day. Her approach is warm and nonjudgmental and aims to help clients feel seen and understood from the start.

With nine years of experience, she has worked in community agencies and hospital-based programs. That work included inpatient and outpatient settings as well as intensive programs and medication-assisted treatment. She has supported people dealing with substance use, mental health issues, trauma, and co-occurring conditions.

In sessions she uses person-centered methods and collaborative planning. Clients set goals and measure progress together with her, and plans are adjusted as needs change. She emphasizes empowerment, rebuilding self-esteem, and increasing self-efficacy through practical skills and guided conversation.

Her clinical work draws on cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to address patterns like impulsivity, addiction, and chronic worry. She also helps people navigate grief, relationship patterns like codependency, and challenges tied to mood and trauma.

Laura believes a little compassion can make a big difference. She aims to be a steady partner for people trying to move forward, offering straightforward tools and emotional support to help them meet real-world goals.

Approaches used in online work and what they do

Laura integrates client-centered therapy with cognitive behavioral approaches. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, empathy, and meeting the person where they are. It helps when someone needs acceptance and a partner in setting goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thought and behavior and teaches practical strategies to change unhelpful habits, which can help with anxiety, anger, and mood difficulties.

She also uses elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and motivational interviewing when needed. DBT provides skills for managing strong emotions and improving distress tolerance. Motivational interviewing helps people find personal reasons to change, which is useful for substance use and other behavior change work. Choosing an approach is collaborative - the therapist will help figure out what fits each person’s needs and preferences and will adjust methods over time.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking so you know which formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins on a break, and remove travel time. The therapist will discuss how to structure sessions so they fit routines and goals while using the approaches that best support the client.