Laya Lopez,

Hey there! My name is La-Eleya Lopez (she/her), but most people call me Laya. I’m a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) who counsels teens (age 13 and older), young adults, and adults. 

Walking Beside You

I believe that healing is both sacred and possible. With a background rooted in social work, violence prevention, and personal development, I bring a deep, trauma-informed lens to the therapy space. My mission is to help you slow down, feel deeply, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that have been silenced or forgotten.

I specialize in supporting teens, college students, adults, and couples through anxiety, depression, identity exploration, career exploration, and relational conflict. Whether you’re working through a specific challenge or searching for something more aligned, I’m here to walk beside you with curiosity, compassion, and honesty.

Working Together

In our work together, therapy becomes a space where you can breathe. You don’t need to come with all the answers—just a willingness to begin. Together, we’ll find clarity, build resilience, and honor your journey, one step at a time.

As your therapist, I hold space for the in-between—the transitions, the unravelings, and the quiet battles that often go unseen. This includes life shifts that may challenge your sense of identity, purpose, and inner peace. My work is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in the belief that healing is not linear—it is layered, sacred, and deeply personal.

Other Specialties

Other specialties I counsel for include addiction, substance use, anger management, attachment issues, autism, behavioral issues/modification, divorce/separation, family conflict, health and wellness, infidelity, life transitions, racial identity, relationship issues, religious deconstruction, self-esteem, spirituality, stress, systemic structure, and trauma & PTSD.

Getting Started

I don’t believe in hustle culture or quick fixes. I believe in rest. I believe in unlearning. I believe in creating room to breathe, to feel, and to be. Whether you’re untangling generational wounds, adjusting to change, or simply trying to feel like yourself again, you are welcome here—fully, wholly, and without judgment.

Clients often describe my style as warm, real, and reflective. I bring creativity into our work—journaling, music, storytelling—whatever speaks to your soul and supports your growth.

If I seem like a good match for you, I look forward to the opportunity to meet you and learn more about you.

My Education and Techniques

I earned a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Kutztown University.  My therapeutic approach is collaborative and practical. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-Informed) to help you build awareness, regulate emotions, challenge unhelpful patterns, and create meaningful change in your life.

I also bring my training and experience in Christian Counseling, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Couples Counseling, Marriage Counseling, Family Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness-Based (MBCT), Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, Solution-Focused (SFBT), Strength-Based, Trauma Focused Therapy, and Trauma-Focused-CBT Therapy into therapy based on your goals and needs.

About Me

Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, I bring the strength of my culture, my education, and my lived experience into every space I hold.  Outside the therapy room, I find joy in singing, spending time in nature, and exploring interior design as a form of self-expression.

PA License #SW142216

Laya Lopez’s Availability

La-Eleya (Laya) Lopez offers in-person therapy at the Lehigh Valley (Emmaus) therapy office and online for anyone in Pennsylvania.