Laura Walton

My perspective is that many mental health struggles develop to help us cope with things outside of our control, particularly in our families of origin, and/or in response to trauma. I work with clients to develop skills for turning towards difficult feelings and meeting those feeling with compassion and gentleness. Therapy cannot "fix" your problems or change what's happened to you, but it can help you learn to live through your problems with more ease, self-compassion and resilience. I utilize both cognitive and body/somatic approaches in my work with clients. I am primarily a psychodynamic psychotherapist, meaning I focus a lot on your family of origin and how those relationships shape us. As we work to understand your history and your patterns, I will also endeavor to teach you concrete skills that will help you cope in new and healthier ways with current stressors. In addition, I understand the impacts of white supremacy culture, patriarchy, heteronormativity, colonialism and capitalism and how these negatively impact lived experience and our ability to be mentally well. Having the impacts of these systems witnessed and held compassionately can help all of us cope with the pain of living in the world today. When I’m not working I’m hiking at the Eno with my family, spending time with friends or making forts and mud pies with my kids. I perform improv comedy, run, rock climb and dance. I was born and raised in NC and have been here my whole life, aside from two years living in Mexico and Guatemala working with refugee and migrant communities. I’ve been in Durham for the past 12 years and am proud to call it home.