Anxiety Therapy
Therapist for expats and internationals
Anxiety can feel draining. It’s the constant stream of “what if” thoughts, the tightness in your body that never fully relaxes, and the mental fog that comes from overanalyzing every interaction. When your brain is stuck in a loop of anticipating the next problem, it can be hard to switch off. And you aren’t alone.
At Bloomwave Practice, I provide anxiety therapy where you can slow down, speak openly, and feel understood. Together we’ll look at what’s actually keeping your system on high alert and work on practical ways to help your body and mind settle. Book a first session to get to know each other. It’s free of charge, with no waiting list or referral required.
Location
🏠 Leiden
💻 Online
Languages
🇬🇧 English
🇪🇪 Estonian
Useful Info
⏱️ No waiting list
🧍Adults 18+
Who is Anxiety Therapy for?
Anxiety comes in many forms. It might look like constant worrying, social anxiety, panic attacks, separation anxiety, or a general sense of tension that never fully switches off. For some people it is intense and disruptive; for others it is more subtle yet equally exhausting. It’s also worth knowing that anxiety often goes hand-in-hand with (signs of) depression.
In any case, you do not need a formal diagnosis or a “severe” label to seek support. If anxiety is affecting your life, for example your sleep, focus, relationships, or your sense of ease, anxiety therapy can help. You are allowed to seek support even if you are still functioning on the outside.
People who experience anxiety can struggle with the following things:
- Constant worry about everyday things such as work, studies, or money
- A persistent sense that something bad is about to happen
- Overthinking and imagining worst-case scenarios about the future
- Feeling more easily irritated or on edge
- Restlessness, physical tension, or difficulty sleeping
- Panic attacks or sudden waves of intense fear
- Strong fear of being judged by others
- Perfectionism, imposter syndrome or burn-out
- Feeling highly anxious in social situations
- Ongoing fear of losing people who are important to you
How Anxiety Therapy can help you
Anxiety often feels like being stuck in a mental loop of “what-ifs.” Therapy helps you map out these patterns so you can finally start breaking them. Think of it as building a practical toolkit for those moments when you feel stranded by your own thoughts.
If you struggle with overthinking or always assuming the worst-case scenario, we’ll work together to deconstruct those fears and look at them through a more realistic lens. The goal is to rewire those old pathways so to speak, and replace them with healthier ways to cope and respond to things. So instead of automatically spiraling into worst-case scenarios, you learn how to pause, ground yourself, and question the story your mind is telling you. Over time, you’ll likely notice that the anxious thoughts show up less intensely and don’t take over as quickly.
Some of my approaches to Anxiety Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel anxiety, such as catastrophizing or constant “what-if” thinking. Together, we work on practical tools to reduce avoidance, calm your nervous system, and respond to anxious thoughts in a healthier way.
Schema
Therapy
Schema Therapy looks at deeper, long-standing patterns that can fuel anxiety, such as fear of rejection, high self-criticism, or a strong need for control. By understanding where these patterns developed, I can help you loosen their grip and build more secure ways of coping.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT focuses on changing your relationship with anxious thoughts and sensations, rather than constantly fighting them or bottling them up. Instead of trying to make anxiety disappear entirely, I’ll help you learn how to make space for it so it stops blocking your path forward.
Hi, I’m Laura!
Laura Ruusalu (She/Her)
As a licensed therapist and an expat myself, I know how anxiety can ramp up when you’re building a life in a new country. New systems, new expectations, fewer familiar faces. It adds pressure, even if you are “doing fine” on paper. I’m originally from Estonia and grew up moving between Finland and Norway before finally settling in the Netherlands.
At Bloomwave I offer English-speaking anxiety therapy in Leiden and online. I mainly work with expats, international students, and LGBTQIA+ clients who deal with overthinking, panic, social anxiety, or a mind that simply does not switch off. My approach is practical and evidence-based. I focus on understanding what is driving your anxiety and giving you clear tools to handle it.
What you can expect when working with me
Free 30-minute session
Your journey begins with a free 30-minute online contact session, where we’ll explore how I can best support you.
Sliding scale pricing
I offer a sliding scale to keep therapy accessible, with rates based on your financial situation. €75 – €130 / hour
Personalised treatment
I use an integrative approach tailored to your individual needs and desires, always in collaboration.
Client testimonials
“Laura is amazing, as someone who intellectualises their feelings and experiences, finding a good psychologist is sometimes very difficult. However, Laura was heaven sent and has really helped me actually feel my feelings and process my traumas while also working on my triggers and coping mechanisms. Cannot recommend her enough. Thank you, Laura!”
– TK
“I had a very good experience with Laura. She is professional but also makes you feel very comfortable and made me realise things about myself that I still think about/use to this day (which is the first time this has happened for me in therapy). To me, this shows that Laura really listens to her clients.”
– ND
“Having tried various therapists in the past, I came in with feeling a little uneasy and curious to see how Laura from Bloomwave would address my issues and working together through therapy. I am a 22 year old female and I am extremely satisfied with my experience. In the past i often felt like I was not able to be fully understood. But with Laura I felt not only understood but also pulled out of my perceptions to think more critically and understand myself even better. Very professional and very good with helping one find comfort in the session environment. I hope to continue working with her for many sessions to come for my foreseeable future.”
– IW
Why choose Bloomwave practice?
- Personalised, integrative approach
- Accessible rates based on your financial situation
- No waiting list, no referral needed
- Safe space, LGBTQIA+ affirmative
Ready to take the next step?
If anxiety has been taking up more space in your life than you’d like, this could be a good moment to pause and look at it together. You don’t have to have it all figured out before you book a session.
I always start with a free 30-minute online contact session. It’s simply a relaxed conversation about what’s been going on and what you’re hoping will change. No pressure, no commitment, just a chance to see if you feel comfortable and supported working with me.