ABOUT

about laura

Pronouns: she/they

I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker and artist with a past life working in TV/Film production. I'm a Libra sun, Aries rising (if that means anything to you, and if not, that's ok!) and a dog-mom to an adorable boxer-bulldog named Brisket.

I find it easy to connect with other creative types, those who don't neatly fit inside the box, and those who have a colorful sense of humor. I love to help those who feel like they don't quite fit in or belong in the community find their space to thrive.

Working with me, you will experience a balance of support, curiosity, and challenging to explore, all within a warm, non-judgmental setting. My priority is to create and maintain and environment of safety. I operate from a intersectional feminist perspective, which means that I acknowledge the importance of different pieces of your identity and their impacts and influences on your development and experiences and find it important to explore cultural, political, and interpersonal power dynamics, and that includes those that may present within the therapeutic relationship. The body and its responses are always welcome in the discussion.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

I received my Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College in Film/Video before pursuing and completing my Masters in Social Work from Boston University with a focus on trauma recovery.

Before entering into private practice, my previous community mental health experience included providing PTSD therapy at Peace Over Violence, an intimate partner violence service and advocacy, as well as providing affirmative care and general therapy services at the LA LGBT Center. I was trained under Dr. Susan Holt within the LGBT Center's STOP Violence Program for queer intimate partner violence intervention and treatment, and participated in the THE NATIONAL LGBTQ INSTITUTE ON IPV's Capacity Building Cohort for LGBTQIA+ intimate partner violence advocacy.

clinical trainings and certifications

EMDR

EMDR Basic Training - EMDR Professional Training (Jonna Fries, PsyD)
Approaching EMDR Intensives - Trauma Therapist Institute (Erika Yourdan, PhD, LMFT)
EMDR for Religious Trauma & Spiritual Abuse - Trauma Therapist Institute (Erica Bonham, MA, LPC)
EMDR for Complex Trauma - PESI (Rebecca Kase, LCSW, RYT)
Neurodivergent Informed EMDR: Autism & ADHD - Trauma Therapist Institute (Caroline van Diest)

Neurodivergence

Assessment of Adult ADHD for Master’s Level Therapists - The Chicago School (Kate McNulty, LCSW)
Neurodivergent Traits, Case Conceptualization, and Treatment Planning - Mental Health Therapy Sex Therapy (Dr. Stacey Skowronski)
Neurodiversity Informed Mindfulness - Mindful Institute
Advanced ADHD Certification Course: Strategies to Customize Treatment for Every Client - PESI (Ari Tuckman, PsyD)

Sex, Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Trauma

CALOES-Certified 82.75-hour Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Counselor Advocate Certification - Peace Over Violence (Various)
Addressing Common Sexual Concerns in Individuals & Couples - Dr. MSTI (Dr. Jess O'Reilly)
Surviving to Thriving: Helping Clients Move Past Sexual Trauma to Reclaim a Passionate Life - MSTI (Holly Richmond, PhD)
Erotic Expansion for Sexual Trauma Survivors - MSTI (Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW)
Sex Therapy with Survivors of Childhood Trauma - Annex (Suzanne Iasenza, PhD)

IFS Informed Trainings

Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) - PESI (Frank Anderson, MA)
Step by Step IFS Therapy - PESI (Alexia Rothman, PhD)
EMDR & IFS Integration - PESI (Daphne Fatter, PhD)

Other

Religious Trauma, Spiritual Abuse and Cult Recovery: Treating the Trauma Caused by Adverse Religious Experiences - PESI (Kathryn Keller, PhD & Anna Clark Miller, LPC-S)
Working With Dissociative Identity Disorder - Pasadena Trauma Therapy (Cristina Mardirossian, LMFT)