MY ORIGIN STORY
Registered Practitioner Psychologist & Pop-Culture Lore Nerd
I’m Laura. I’m a Registered Forensic and Practitioner Psychologist with over 20 years studying psychology and 15+ years working therapeutically with clients, teams, and trainee psychologists.
I grew up running around the garden with imaginary superheroes, raised on Thundercats, Bucky O’Hare, She-Ra, and Super Ted. As an adult, I never lost that love for the stories and shadowy worlds we escape into.
By the Light of Day
Behind the lore & monster metaphors sits a heavy hitting clinical foundation.
When I’m not exploring the shadows of pop-culture, I’m working in the field as a Registered Practitioner Psychologist:
Training the Next Generation: I supervise trainee psychologists through to becoming qualified
Mastering Group Dynamics: I train practitioner and paraprofessionals in therapeutic group work skills
Building National Impact: I support and lead the development of evidence-based group work programmes delivered across Scotland.
Real-World Hero’s Journey’s: I work directly with clients navigating systemic adversity, complex trauma & heavy life challenges.
Where the quest changed
Early in my career, I ran therapy groups in the criminal justice system. Many people I worked with were neurodivergent, had a history of trauma and adversity, and had been failed by traditional education and mental health spaces.
Whenever I used standard models, I watched eyes glaze over.
So I rewrote the script.
I started translating complex psychological concepts into pop-culture metaphors. The shift was instant: energy up, engagement up, learning up.
And it wasn’t a gimmick — it’s backed by research.
Adults can learn better when information is delivered through play, story, and narrative.
When we use metaphors from movies and fandoms, we can stop feeling defensive and have space to start feeling curious.
Based in Scotland
A country filled with mist-cloaked mountains, ancient pine forests & atmospheric ruins, straight out of a high fantasy novel.
Evidence-Based Psychology Meets the Stories You Love.
I don’t see people as diagnoses or broken parts.
Your anxiety, shutdowns, overthinking, these are survival strategies. Armour you forged in earlier chapters.
My work is about helping you:
● illuminate the path ahead
● understand the monsters instead of fearing them
● make peace with your shadows
● find courage and hope when the world feels bleak
Because resilience isn’t pretending the monsters aren’t there, it’s about learning why they are, and harnessing their strengths to help you succeed and progress to the next chapter.
MY MISSION
Illuminate the Path. Embrace the Shadows
YOUR NEXT SCENE STARTS HERE
This space is for you. Whether you love horror, sci-fi, tabletop games, or epic fantasy.
You don’t need a diagnosis or to be finding life challenging to be here. You just need curiosity.
Here, you’ll find:
When stress hits, your brain can behave like it’s living through a zombie apocalypse — scanning for danger, bracing for attack, and reacting fast instead of thinking clearly. That’s not a flaw. It’s biology.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is built on decades of research showing that when we understand how our emotional systems work — threat, drive, and soothing — we can respond to difficulty with more steadiness, courage, and kindness. Compassion isn’t about being soft. It’s about surviving wisely.
Zombies & Compassion uses the apocalypse as a metaphor to help you understand your brain, calm your threat system, and build the kind of inner safety that makes real change possible. It’s evidence‑based psychology delivered through a story you’ll actually remember.
Who It’s For
Anyone who feels overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in survival mode
Horror fans, geeks, and creative learners
People who want practical tools for calming their nervous system
Therapists seeking themed CFT resources
Anyone who wants to understand why their brain reacts the way it does
What You Get
3‑hour on‑demand workshop (watch anytime for 30 days)
One guided MP3 audio you can download and keep forever
14‑page printable & fillable PDF workbook
A complete CFT‑inspired survival toolkit wrapped in zombie‑apocalypse storytelling
As you move through the zombie‑survival framework, your reactions start to make sense instead of feeling shameful or confusing. You learn how to calm your threat system, soften harsh self‑criticism, and build a steadier inner world — the kind that helps you face life’s monsters without shutting down. Instead of battling your brain, you begin working with it, turning compassion into a practical survival skill.
Ready to understand your brain, calm your inner apocalypse, and build compassion that actually helps you survive the hard stuff? Join Zombies & Compassion and learn the skills that turn chaos into clarity — and fear into something you can face.
· Formats: PDF workbook + MP3 audio + video access
· Delivery: Delivery: Instant online access to the workshop + downloadable worksheet sent via email