Laura Martin, LPCCS, at Blue Hills Counseling & Consultation, LLC

01/19/2026

I’m a huge advocate for conversations about food and mental health. This blog post explains why I find it crucial that others understand how food impacts brain health and mood.

As a licensed professional clinical counselor who sees lifestyle factors impacting clients everyday, I want to share an often-overlooked truth: the foods you eat have a profound impact on your mental health. While therap...

01/15/2026

Feeling stressed, worn out, or just plain overwhelmed?
You’re only human and sometimes we need outside feedback to get unstuck in life.

I’m Laura Martin, LPCC-S, a licensed professional clinical counselor here in Paintsville, and I run Blue Hills Counseling & Consultation. I work with teens (16+) and adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, or just trying to keep everything together.

Counseling doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. I provide a safe place to discuss concerns and we focus on real-life tools that actually help.

If you’ve ever thought, “I might need to talk to someone,” this could be a good place to start.

I accept commercial Anthem, commercial Optum, and commercial UHC insurance plans. I accept commercial Aetna and commercial Cigna through Headway. Contact for more information.

📍 Paintsville, KY | 💻 Telehealth available
🌎Learn more at www.bluehillscounseling.org

📧Contact me at info@bluehillscounseling.org

Individual counseling services for adolescents and adults in eastern KY Professional consultation services for groups and bus

12/23/2025

My office will be closed Wednesday, December 24th - Friday, January 2nd. Any new inquiries will be returned the first week of January. Current and active clients may contact me via the portal if needed. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.

Light & love,
Laura

12/15/2025

All appointments on Monday December 15th have been cancelled. Please check your email and portal for more details. Thank you.

12/11/2025

As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor (LPCC-S) in Kentucky, I bring over a decade of experience to my work with adolescents and adults. I earned my B.S. in Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University in 2014 and later my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands. My early career included therapy in school settings and ABA work with children diagnosed with autism; experiences that shaped my transition into outpatient therapy and, eventually, private practice.

I founded Blue Hills Counseling & Consultation, LLC in July 2021, starting as a telehealth practice before expanding to a physical location in Paintsville, KY. I now offer both in-person and virtual sessions to ensure accessible, individualized care.

My therapeutic approach is eclectic and integrative, blending cognitive-behavioral, existential, mindfulness-based, solution-focused, interpersonal, and trauma-informed modalities. I focus on helping clients navigate self-esteem challenges, stress, depression, anxiety, and trauma while emphasizing whole-body wellness, lifestyle factors, and meaningful psychoeducation.

Warmth, respect, and collaboration guide my work. I aim to create a space where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow. I work primarily with teens and adults. Contact me or visit my website for more information.

Contact:
📞 859-320-7147
📧 laura@bluehillscounseling.org
🌎 www.bluehillscounseling.org

Referral Information
I accept referrals directly from potential clients as well as from other providers. Because my schedule is typically full and I’m often in session, my phone functions primarily as a voicemail inbox; I’m rarely able to answer calls in real time. The most reliable way to reach me is by email at laura@bluehillscounseling.org.

For providers wishing to refer a client, please email me first to confirm that the case is appropriate for my scope of practice. Once we determine fit, you may fax the necessary information. Please note that I do not accept every referral, and I do not automatically schedule clients based solely on faxed paperwork without prior communication.

Light & love,
Laura Martin, MA, LPCC-S

11/26/2025

My office will be closed the remainder of this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Inquiries and messages will be returned sometime on Monday, December 1st. I appreciate your patience.

Wishing you all a safe and peaceful holiday.
🦃 🥧 🧡

Light and love to you,
Laura

10/01/2025

My office will not be open October 2-3 due to the KY Apple Festival. All appointments for October 2nd have been moved to virtual. Inquiries will be returned next week. Thank you 🍎

09/27/2025

I will be opening up my availability in October 2025 to new adult clients. I am in network with commercial anthem plans, commercial Optum plans, and commercial UHC plans. If you have questions or want to inquire about an appointment, email my office at info@bluehillscounseling.org.

Www.bluehillscounseling.org

Light & love,
Laura🏔️

09/01/2025

Exercise is something I regularly encourage my clients to incorporate into their treatment plans. Read more about it on my blog below.

Here in the Appalachian region, we’ve always taken pride in being resourceful and strong. We know how to get through hard times and make do with what we have. That same spirit can help us care for our mental health and o...

09/01/2025

My office is closed today, September 1, 2025. Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

08/05/2025

School is back in session, and I want to give everyone a chance to equip themselves with adaptive skills for coping with stress, change, anxiety, and more!

I've created a short list of techniques for children and adolescents for use in a school setting. These can also be used by adults and in settings outside of school, too, so feel free to generalize this one! I've included screenshots and the link on my site where you can download your copy!

Light & love

https://bluehillscounseling.org/content

07/29/2025

Back-to-school is here and so is the pressure on kids. While we talk a lot about mental health online, kids need more than hashtags and infographics. They need connection. They need *us.* Especially parents. Su***de is now reported to be the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 10–24. Depression, anxiety, and bullying are on the rise for our youth. The truth is, most of them aren’t talking about any of this unless they are asked. So, what do our kids need most? YOU!

I've included some tips below that I recommend to parents of school-aged children that can help with building healthy coping skills, increasing resiliency, and reducing symptoms associated with mental health conditions like depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.

1. Talk Early, Talk Often
Your child needs to hear, "I’m here. I care. Let’s talk about how you’re really doing."
Ask:
• “What’s been hard this week?”
• “Anyone at school treating you badly?”
• “Do you ever feel really sad or not yourself?”
Even if they shrug, you've opened the door.
2. Model and Encourage Healthy Coping
Kids mirror adult behavior. Show them how you handle stress—without yelling or numbing out.
Encourage:
• Regular sleep
• Breaks from screens
• Outdoor time
• Movement
• Honest conversations
Don’t just manage their behaviors. Support their ability to manage emotions.
3. Advocate Relentlessly
If your child is struggling:
• Contact the school counselor or psychologist.
• Ask about mental health screenings or accommodations.
• Find a therapist who specializes in kids and adolescents.
• Secure lethal means: lock up medications and fi****ms.
No one will advocate harder or sooner than you and early action saves lives.

Parents: this is your call to action.
1. Talk to your child regularly (even if they act like they don’t want to).
2. Encourage healthy habits: real sleep, real food, real breaks.
3. Advocate. Call the counselor. Set up therapy. Ask the hard questions.

We can’t control everything, but we *can* show up early and consistently, and sometimes that's what helps the most.

Wishing everyone a healthy school year!

988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline – 24/7, always free, always confidential.

Contact me with questions about services, consults, and more: info@bluehillscounseling.org

Light & love,
Laura

Send a message to learn more