Ms Laura Ruusalu, MSc

Licensed Psychologist

“A licensed psychologist in Leiden or online, working mainly with expats and international students, LGBTQIA+ individuals and people in non-monogamous relationships. Focus on working with perfectionism and improving self-esteem using an integrative and client-centered approach.”

About Me

I understand the unique experiences of expats, international students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people in non-monogamous relationships. Many clients I work with seek to overcome perfectionism and build stronger self-esteem. I offer an integrative, client-centred space. We tailor our sessions to truly explore your unique path forward. This collaborative approach helps you navigate challenges and build confidence, whether online or in Leiden.

Approach

Sessions move between practical skill-building and gentle curiosity about the stories you tell yourself, helping reframe standards that keep you stuck. In Leiden or online I offer predictable, paced sessions in English or Estonian, with clear focus and space for reflection between meetings. We try small experiments, practise different responses to anxiety, control and self-critical thoughts, and track what shifts so insights turn into new habits. This way of working often suits adults facing relocation, complex relationships or high internal expectations who want steady, real change.

Contact Laura

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Leiden, Netherlands

In-person & Online

Services

I offer a blended approach of cognitive-behavioral therapy, schema therapy and client-centered therapy, employing a humanistic and holistic lens.

Services Offered:

Counseling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counseling
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT
Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy
Psychoeducation
Structured information provided about a mental health condition (what it is, why it occurs, and what strategies can help) as part of the therapeutic process.
Learn more about Psychoeducation
Schema Therapy
A therapy that identifies deep, long-standing emotional patterns (schemas) formed in childhood and works to change the ones that cause recurring problems.
Learn more about Schema Therapy
Skills Training
Structured programmes that teach practical coping and life skills, such as emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
Learn more about Skills Training

Works With:

Adults
Individuals

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Control Issues
A persistent need to control situations, people, or outcomes, typically driven by underlying anxiety, fear of uncertainty, or past experiences of helplessness.
Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder
Relocation / Expat
The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.
Learn more about Relocation / Expat
Self-Esteem
A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.
Learn more about Self-Esteem
LGBTQI+ Support
The unique psychological experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, including identity exploration, coming out, discrimination, minority stress, and relationship dynamics.
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma
Young Adult Issues
The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.
Learn more about Young Adult Issues