Kersten Counseling
Welcome to Kersten Counseling. My name is Laura Kersten. I am so happy you have begun your journey of growth.
Laura Kersten is the owner and founder of Kersten Counseling. She graduated from Doane University with a masters degree in Counseling in 2008. She has an extensive counseling history working with adults and older adolescents in residential settings, intensive outpatient, as well as outpatient therapy. Her experience working with patients involved in Probation, Drug Court, and CPS. She is currently licensed as an Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) as well as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Therapeutic Approach
In therapy Laura takes a holistic approach and believes change is a team process. She will work with you at a pace you are comfortable with. She is familiar with a variety of therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and other strength based approaches. She is trained in EMDR.
Laura is in network or working toward accepting most major health insurance providers, including BCBS, UBH, Midlands Choice, Aetna, TotalCare, Healthy Blue, UHC Medicaid, and UMR. Feel free to reach out and ask if your insurance is covered.
What to expect
Laura was born and raised in Crete, NE. She understands the joys and difficulties that come from small town living. She believes trust and confidentiality are a must.
She wants anyone who is starting this journey to know it is normal and okay for us all to need help sometimes. Asking for help is a strength and the biggest step in the process. In the first session, time will be spent getting to know each other and identifying your goals using a team approach and the steps necessary to reach them. Everyone has unique and individualized goals. She believes our past has shaped our present lives and the way we handle issues. Sometimes those strategies still work and other times we have outgrown our old strategies and new ones need to be developed.
Laura loves working with anyone who is ready for a change even if they can’t yet identify what that change needs to be.
Services
Laura offers outpatient therapy consisting of individual and/or family sessions. This safe environment can give an opportunity to share, process, and develop skills to handle life with less stress and struggles. She offers both Drug and Alcohol Evaluations as well as Co-occurring Evaluations as needed.
She is specialized in trauma, domestic violence and addiction issues but has years of experience with many mental health issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, self-esteem issues, life transitions, relationship issues, coping skill development, co-dependency, anger management, and grief issues just to name a few.