Laurie Poole, MS, LPC
Couples | Divorce | Grief | Life Transitions | Aging & Identity
When you walk through my door, the only assumption I'll make is that the status quo isn't working and you're looking to make a change, even if you aren't sure yet what that change needs to be. We'll take it from there.
I understand that it can be a little unnerving to start therapy, particularly with someone you don’t know. I think everyone feels that way initially, but I will do my best to set you at ease and help you feel comfortable.
Like you, I’ve had to navigate challenges resulting from my relationships as a wife, a parent, and a daughter. I know firsthand just how complicated and fantastic it can all be! But what I’ve learned is that when you do the inner work of asking tough questions and changing the steps of your “relationship dance,” better things await on the other side.
My approach is relational and grounded in Emotionally Focused Therapy, which means I pay close attention to the patterns underneath your relationships and the emotions driving them. Much of my deepest work is with couples, helping two people find their way back to each other. While my own experiences may be different from yours, they have given me real compassion for what you bring into the room. I want to know you, understand how you see things, and learn what matters most to you. My aim in each session is to make it possible to be honest, to take a risk, and to say the thing that is hard to say.
Whether positive or painful, the patterns that we experienced growing up are often repeated in subsequent relationships with our partners, children, co-workers, and within ourselves. Before we know it, history repeats itself in ways we didn’t intend. With this in mind, your story will always be my starting point. I’m curious about how patterns in your life are played out in relationships with loved ones, which will inform many of our discussions.
This kind of work tends to deepen with consistency, especially early on. Change is rarely a single conversation. It asks for a little time and a steady rhythm, and I'll be honest with you about what that looks like as we go.
Areas of Focus
I've had the privilege of witnessing real transformation when families open up with each other in honest dialogue, and when couples take the risk of naming their deepest fears and longings. That kind of vulnerability is not easy, but it is often where the healing begins. Much of my individual work centers on therapy for women in life transitions, supporting clients through seasons of identity shift, aging, loss, and reinvention.
A lot of good therapy comes down to finding the right fit between a client and a therapist. I won't pretend to have every answer, and my goal is not to fix you. What I can offer is an open heart, steady company, and an honest hand as you work toward what brought you here.
Professional Background
and Accreditation
Before becoming a therapist, I enjoyed a successful career in corporate marketing, communications, and business development. Today, I bring that same strategic insight and curiosity to my clinical work.
I earned my Master of Science in Counseling from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and my undergraduate degree from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and have received extensive post-graduate training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), a leading model for couples therapy grounded in attachment theory and emotional responsiveness.
I spent five years in the Department of Psychiatry’s Family Studies Clinic at UT Southwestern, working with diverse clients of all ages, and later completed an externship in EFT with a specialization in couples healing from trauma. I’m also a contributing author to Case Studies in Couple and Family Therapy and a proud member of the Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT).
In addition to my clinical work, I host Therapists Unplugged, a podcast that brings a real-world, behind-the-scenes perspective to the therapy room. Through honest conversations and shared experiences, we explore what it means to show up for others, and for ourselves, with authenticity and heart.
Brandy Schumann, PHD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S Internship Director, Clinical Assistant Professor, Southern Methodist University
“Laurie is an exceptional practitioner. I frequently refer to her as I believe many individuals are best served by her authentic, approachable, honest and humble demeanor. Her non-threatening approach facilitates a safe exploration of vulnerable spaces. I wish we had more like her in the mental health field.”
Holly Scott, MBA, MS, LPC, Founder of Uptown Dallas Counseling
“I have known Laurie both personally and professionally for over ten years. When I need a referral for a couple's therapist, I immediately think of her. She has extensive training specifically in the evidenced-based treatment practices for couples. In addition to her expertise, Laurie is a warm, engaging, and compassionate therapist. If you are looking for a Marriage/Couples therapist, I highly recommend Laurie!”
Tara Signs, PhD, MFT, Director, Medical Family Therapy Clinic, Oklahoma Baptist University
“Laurie Poole is a friend and colleague that I have had the pleasure of working with for several years. Over the course of our years together, I observed and witnessed Laurie's thorough clinical skills that encouraged opportunities for clients to find meaning in their lives. What I admire most about Laurie is her ability to truly create a space of safety for clients to process deeper level emotions and experiences. I have been privileged to learn from Laurie and highly respect her as a clinician.”
Lee Kinsey, PhD, LPC, Owner at Dr. Lee Kinsey Sex Therapy & Relationship Counseling
“There are few counselors like Laurie Poole. She is smart, experienced, funny, and focused as well as kind, caring, and personable. In short, Laurie is both nice and effective. I refer clients to her without hesitation and with the certainty that Laurie will help clients see past the distractions, spotlight core issues, and confront their most intractable problems with the focused compassion each of us deserves.”
Holly Lockett, LPC-S, Frisco Counseling and Wellness
“I have known Laurie for the past 6 years on a professional basis. I love the way she works with clients on an individual basis but also encompasses the family system which is extremely effective in helping people heal the past and move forward in a healthy way.”
