GET TO KNOW your therapist

Bri McLaughlin, LCSW

“We will not be characters in our stories. Not villains, not victims … We are the authors of our lives. We write our own daring endings.” – Brene Brown

Insurances I Accept:

Optum
BCBS NS
Cigna
BCBS PPO

Ages I work with:

Languages I speak:

English
Spanish

Who Am I?

Hi, I’m Bri McLaughlin (Bree, she/hers) and I can’t wait to meet you! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Poetry Therapist in training. I’m a warm, inviting, passionate therapist who provides therapy in English and Spanish (¡Hablo Espanol!). So let’s go on this journey called life together! I live for moments when the lightbulb goes on and you deepen your relationship with yourself: the most important person in your life. I work with tweens, teens, and adults. I am a white, cis-gendered woman.

I love working with:

Folks who want to build their confidence & improve body image
College students & young adults navigating transitions
People managing stress & anxiety, who want to increase happiness and decrease depression
Those who have been through trauma or grief and want to begin the healing process

Some of my favorite approaches include:

Building the therapeutic relationship, thought-provoking questions, looking at the big picture, poetry/bibliotherapy (a collaborative and creative form of therapy that involves guided journaling inspired by evocative poetry, music or literature), talk therapy, CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, DBT, solution-focused techniques, mindfulness/meditation, helping you set and maintain healthy boundaries, building on your many strengths, trying different coping strategies, and humor.

HOW I HELP

Clients come to me looking for a therapist who listens and helps passionately, because therapy should be a place where you feel supported and respectfully challenged to grow. And we always go at your own pace. The most important part of our work is the therapeutic relationship and we will work together to build that. You’ll feel so comfortable you might just keep on talking! Therapy is a brave space for you to be your true self without judgment.

Beliefs section:

I am passionate about helping you see the beauty that can come from the trials you’ve faced. I believe that out of pain, beauty can be created and allows us to grow in ways we never dreamed of! My philosophy of healing comes from a place of hope: you CAN empower yourself and heal!

What it’s like in a session with me

Sessions with me are interactive and thought-provoking. I always tell people, therapy doesn’t have to be all tears and tissues! While it’s important to express your feelings and get to the serious stuff, we balance that with some smiles and laughter. And we celebrate your wins! During the first few sessions I tend to ask a lot of questions and do more listening. For me, the most important part of therapy is our relationship. You can come as you are and I want you to feel at home. I offer a gentle, compassionate, and real place to process your emotions, grow and thrive.

More about me

Dark chocolate is the first thing I eat most mornings and you’ll notice I usually have a cup of tea in my hand. I hate ketchup AND love tomatoes, and try not to take myself too seriously. If you haven’t already guessed, I love reading and writing poetry! Also, singing at the top of my lungs in the car and dancing. Spending time with family and friends is super important to me and we love to travel and hike together. You might also find me bursting out laughing about any old thing!

Sí, ¡hablo español también! Soy Bri y me encantaría conocerle a Ud. Soy trabajadora social con la licencia clínica y estoy entrenando para ser terapeuta de la poesía. Terapia de poesía es una forma de terapia colaborative y creativa que involucra escribir y/o hablar de poesía, música o literatura.

Soy un persona cariñosa y apasionada de ayudarle a la gente. Pienso en la terapia como un camino de descubrirte a ti mismo/a. Para mi, la parte más importante es la relación terapéutica. Quiero que Ud. Se sienta apoyado/a y motivado/a para crecer.

Trabajo con los adolescentes y adultos que necesitan ayuda para reducir sus niveles de estrés, manejar tristeza o depresión, trauma, el luto y transiciones de la vida. Me encanta ayudarle a la gente aumentar su autoestima y el esquema corporal. Mi filosofía de aliviarse viene de un lugar de esperanza: ¡Ud. sí se puede empoderarse y aliviarse!

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.