- Family of origin issues
- Cognitive behavioral work
- Trauma-focused methods
About Laura
Laura Pengelly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in Pennsylvania with 22 years of clinical experience. She works with relationship and family concerns alongside mood and anxiety difficulties, parenting challenges, grief, and issues tied to attachment and family of origin.
She uses straightforward, interactive sessions that focus on how problems show up day to day. Sessions look at the thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and then test small changes to see what helps. Clients talk about what they want to change and try practical steps between meetings.
Laura draws on approaches such as cognitive behavioral methods to reframe unhelpful thinking and solution-focused tools to set clear, short-term goals. She also uses narrative ideas to help people see how their life stories shape current patterns. When trauma is part of the picture, she uses trauma-focused strategies to address those memories and reactions in measured ways.
Across her work she has supported adults with mood disorders, bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation concerns, and those managing autism or attachment-related difficulties. She has also helped parents and young adults navigate blended family issues, communication breakdowns, commitment questions, and fatherhood concerns.
Practical matters like scheduling, cost, and the first steps are handled through the platform process. Prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule an initial session to discuss goals and next steps.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and testing small behavioral changes to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. It is a practical, skills-based approach useful for people who want clear steps and measurable progress.Narrative Therapy helps people separate themselves from painful stories they keep telling about their past and family roles. The method supports examining how those stories influence current choices and building alternative, more helpful narratives.
Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on setting short-term goals and using strengths to create measurable change. It is often used when clients want focused work on specific relationship or parenting issues.
Choosing a best approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before, then recommend steps. That decision is collaborative and can change as needs evolve.
Session formats supported by this profile are not listed here, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, offer shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time so appointments are easier to attend. The therapist and client will plan what fits into daily life and adjust pacing and focus as needed.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
Pennsylvania
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with relationship and family concerns plus mood and anxiety issues, parenting, grief, and intimacy-related matters.
How would she describe her approach in sessions?
She uses interactive, practical sessions that look at thoughts, behaviors, and small changes to test what helps.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Laura has 22 years of experience working with adults and family-related issues in clinical settings.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in Pennsylvania.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.