Laura Sabin Cabanillas

I have practiced in the field of mental health for two decades. My 20 years of experience as a therapist includes extensive training and work in eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, relationship issues, women’s issues, and spirituality. I am licensed in both California (LPCC) and Washington (LMHC), and I’m a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) through the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). I emphasize a whole-person approach to care, considering the full spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors that impact your overall health and well-being. My approach with clients is to lead with compassion, while leaning in with curiosity. Theoretically, I draw largely from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT). This means I focus on principles such as psychological flexibility, values-driven living, cognitive reframing, emotion regulation, emotional intelligence, and resilience. I believe a secure therapeutic alliance is the best predictor of effective therapy so building trust is foundational. Trust requires openness and honesty from both the client and the therapist. Being open and curious about yourself, your thoughts, your feelings, and your beliefs is crucial to the process in order to get to the root of the pain and any problematic behaviors. Digging into dysfunction and leaning into emotions can bring discomfort so my certified therapy dog, Esperanza (Espy) is able to join in-person sessions to provide clients with additional emotional support and a healthy oxytocin boost!