(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi! My name is Laura. I've been licensed for twenty years. I have an eclectic work history from private practice to healthcare work to non-profit agency work. In addition to my Masters of Social Work and being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have a Master's in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. My broad background and yes, I'll claim it, my maturity combines to help me meet you where you are and together take you to where you want to be. I am a grounded yet curious lifelong learner. I am currently studying the brain and the central nervous system and their impact on our body mind spirit connection. I am a holistic practitioner. In my own life, like you, I have been able to navigate most of life's challenges on my own or with the help of a good friend or loved one but there have been other times when I too have reached out for support. As you review provider profiles trust your heart. One will speak loudest to you.
During our first session, I will first ask you to ask me any questions you may have about me or my work style. Next, I will ask you an open-ended question like "why are we getting together today?" allowing you to tell me in your own words your reason for seeking therapy. This starts the gentle conversation. As we talk, I will guide our interaction, asking questions for context to help me understand the big picture. Because I am new to you, I won't presume, I will check for understanding, making sure I am hearing you correctly. Toward the end of our first time together I will ask you if you think we are a good match and if you want to schedule another time to meet and what that frequency should look like.
My first thought is I most often "successfully graduate" my clients out of therapy as opposed to simply experiencing therapy drift. Secondly, I am calm and nurturing. I am strength based in my approach. I easily develop a positive therapeutic rapport. You may be uncomfortable about something you want to bring up in therapy but please know I will never be uncomfortable. It is my job to facilitate your comfort and trust.
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
ADHD
Addiction
Autism
White
Woman
Colorado
Arlo
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I've been in practice for twenty years using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a goal-oriented therapy that works by connecting thoughts, feelings, and actions to break negative thought cycles. Together we will develop practical coping skills for depression, anxiety, PTSD or addiction.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
Solution Focused Brief Therapy can be just the right approach for minor emotional challenges in today's busy world or a piece-by-piece approach to a bigger set of concerns. Solution Focus emphasizes building solutions, strengths and resources rather than in depth analyzing of problems. The focus is to find working solutions for issues. Together, we will identify the issue then the resources followed by practical acceptable solutions. Length of therapy is usually shorter than other forms of therapy.
Grief Therapy
For over a decade I was a part of a hospice and palliative care interdisciplinarian care team. I am well versed in anticipatory grief, life changes caused by terminal or chronic illness, caregiver support, end of life and bereavement needs. These changes, whether they are happening to the one with the diagnosed medical illness or their loved ones, are tender changes. It is my experience that people seek therapy as well as psychoeducation at this vulnerable time. I can provide both. In grief therapy we move at your pace.
Polyvagal Therapy
I have introduced Polyvagal Therapy in conjunction with other modalities in the past two years. Discovering the power of our autonomic nervous system and its impact on our bodies has been very beneficial in my work especially with anxiety. I continue to train in this area.