Laural Casal

I spent a long time circling the name Tether & Tide, because it needed to hold something true about how I experience people, change, and nervous systems. Especially neurodivergent ones. I don’t think healing happens by becoming perfectly calm, organized, or “regulated” all the time. For many ADHD and ND brains, stability doesn’t come from stillness. It comes from knowing what we’re anchored to while life keeps moving. We need something that steadies us without asking us to stop being curious, reactive, playful, or alive. The image that kept sticking with me was the otter. Otters don’t fight the water, and they don’t drift away from it. They stay tethered while floating, resting, playing, and adjusting with the tide. I also love that otters are one of the few animals that keep playing as they get older, not just when they’re young. Cuteness warning. Otters hold hands while they sleep! Not just because it’s adorable (which it is), but because it’s functional, so they don’t drift apart. And that’s part of why a group of otters is called a raft. They’re literally staying connected while moving with the water, together. Honestly, it sounds exactly like Tether & Tide. That mix of movement, play, connection, and staying oriented is how I think about therapy. ... Hi, my name is Laural Casal, LMHCA. I am a mom, a PNW lover, a Star Wars nerd, a GF/DF eater, an ADHD crafter, and an audiobook reader. Like many ADHD brains, the path that led me to becoming a therapist was not a direct one. My winding path included work in food service, temp positions, massage therapy, customer service at a credit union, and nannying, to name a few. Each of those experiences gave me a deeper understanding of people, systems, and what it’s like to move through the world without a single, linear roadmap. Ultimately, they led me to a career where I get to sit alongside others as we work together toward a life that feels more supportive, sustainable, and aligned. Thinking outside the box and questioning the “norm” are core pillars of my work. I find that these approaches often serve my clients well, especially those who have spent years trying to fit themselves into systems that were never designed with their brains, bodies, or lives in mind. That balance of steadiness and movement—staying connected while adapting—is the lens I bring to my work at Tether & Tide Counseling. Many people who find their way to therapy feel like the current season of their life is out of control, overwhelming, or beyond their capacity. I see my role as coming alongside you while we explore what stability might actually feel like for you. You are the only one who can decide whether something is working in your life or not, and you get to take the lead in where we focus our time together. I believe my clients have the capacity to make meaningful, lasting changes toward their own goals of health and wellness. My goal is to create an atmosphere of comfort, curiosity, and possibility. You are valued and needed in your community, even if it’s hard to feel that way right now. If you’re struggling to believe this, I’m here to help you explore it. I look forward to getting to know you, hearing your story, and supporting your growth as our work together gradually becomes less necessary.