Licensed to practice in New York and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Trauma and PTSD, LGBTQ, Anxiety and 10 more.
(she/they)
New to Grow
Hey my love, I'm Laura -- welcome to Audacious Healing! As a Black, queer, neurodivergent, femme-presenting therapist, I bring refreshing honesty to a space that's actually built for you to let your hair down. No performing, no pretending — just real talk, empowerment, and the motivation to keep going. I've spent over a decade as a trauma therapist--working with teens, young adults, parents and families who don't always see themselves reflected in traditional therapy spaces. Specialities include: Trauma CBT, Somatic Healing, EMDR, Identity Work, LGBTQIA+, Black Culture, Confidence and Empowerment work, and much more! If you're ready for a space where you can show up fully as yourself, book a free intro call to see if we are a good fit for you!
Imagine logging into our first virtual session and feeling an immediate, deep exhale of relief—like unhooking your tightest bra (or binder) at the end of a long, exhausting day..... phewwww, you can finally breathe..... There are no rigid checklists, no clinical clipboards, and absolutely no rapid-fire questions that make you feel like you’re sitting under the harsh fluorescent lights of a stressful job interview. Instead, I invite you to grab a warm mug of your favorite tea, wrap yourself in your coziest blanket, and simply settle into a comfy spot, as we connect human to human. (I recommend that you find someplace private and time, away from any roommates, relatives, or cocofelons/kids. Therapy is a time for you to pour into yourself with no distractions.) We’ll spend our time gently exploring your world at your own natural pace, sharing a few genuine laughs, and letting the heavy dust settle, creating a soft, zero-pressure space where your only requirement is to show up exactly as you are.
My style is direct but never harsh; I'll tell you the truth, celebrate your wins, and push you gently when you need it. I draw on trauma-informed, narrative, and strength-based approaches, and I center identity, culture, and lived experience as core to healing, not an afterthought. Expect honesty over sugar-coated BS and empty "hmmm-mmmhs"-- encouragement that actually motivates you! Audacious Healing is a space where you don't have to code-switch or explain yourself. I show up consistently, ask real questions, and create room for you to be unapologetically you. Healing happens faster when you're not also managing a mask.
Are you a recovering perfectionist whose relentless drive has finally hit the heavy, quiet wall of burnout, seeking a gentle place to learn that your worth is not simply defined by your productivity? You may be the brave cycle-breaker in your family, carrying the heavy, sometimes lonely torch of intergenerational healing, and longing for a space where you are held and supported while you do this monumental work. You may be a brilliant, neurodivergent soul or a vibrant ADHD mind, searching for validation and tools to harness your unique magic in a world that constantly asks you to sit still and fit a specific mold. You may be standing at a daunting professional crossroads, whether stepping tentatively into your early career or dreaming of a radical career shift, yearning to quiet the overwhelming noise of everyone else's expectations so you can finally hear your own authentic voice. Are you navigating the intricate, messy layers of a complex relationship—whether traditional, queer, or polyamorous—and searching for a grounded, non-judgmental space to figure out what truly honors your heart and your boundaries? Are you a high-achieving person of color navigating the exhausting, isolating corridors of a predominantly white institution, desperate for a soft place where you can finally take off your armor and just breathe? You may be the perpetually "understanding" friend who is entirely depleted from shrinking yourself to keep the peace, ready to step out of the background and build the audacious confidence to finally prioritize your own needs. You may be a deeply devoted caretaker pouring every ounce of your energy into a loved one with a severe health, developmental, or acute mental health condition, searching for a quiet, compassionate refuge where you can finally set down the heavy weight of caregiving and allow yourself to be tenderly held.
Think of this as a gentle way to help your brain file away those heavy, painful memories that currently feel stuck on a loud, endless loop. Using guided eye movements or soft, rhythmic tapping, we’ll slowly take the emotional sting out of your past, allowing your mind and body to finally rest quietly in the present.
Because your body quietly keeps the score of everything you've been through, we will gently learn to listen to its whispers—the tightness in your chest or the heavy flutter in your stomach. We might use deep breathing, mindful movement, or just noticing where you feel tense, helping you physically release the trapped stress so you can finally feel at home in your own skin.
Talking to a therapist about suicidal thoughts can be scary. As supportive and anti-carceral therapists, we don't believe in forced hospitalization in response to suicidal thoughts. When the pain becomes so heavy that you feel like you can't carry on, we will sit together in the dark and collaboratively build a customized, sturdy safety net just for you. This looks like an open, deeply compassionate conversation where your heaviest thoughts are met with absolute care, not panic, helping you find a small glimmer of hope to keep going.
We will carefully take the scary, tangled-up stories of your past and gently untangle them so they stop bossing around your present emotions and behaviors. Through creative activities and safe, guided storytelling, we’ll help you and your family rewrite the ending of your trauma narrative, replacing fear with undeniable strength.
Rather than fighting the difficult thoughts that swirl in your mind, we’ll practice letting them simply float by like leaves on a stream while you anchor yourself to the values that truly light you up. In session, this looks like gently untangling yourself from self-doubt and mapping out small, brave steps toward a life that actually feels authentic to you.