(she/her)
New to Grow
Hi, I'm Laura - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of experience working with adults in case management and housing-focused roles. I graduated from Rutgers School of Social Work in 2016 and have spent my career showing up for people navigating some of life's hardest moments. My approach is strength-based, supportive, and collaborative. I believe therapy works best when it feels like a real conversation - not a lecture - and I'm not afraid to bring some humor into the room when it fits. I build rapport quickly and create a space where clients feel genuinely comfortable from the start. Outside of the therapy room I'm passionate about supporting helping professionals through their own licensure and development journeys. When I'm not working I'm probably running, playing with my cats, hanging out with my family, and finding caffeine to help me function.
During our first session, we'll be getting to know each other and establishing therapeutic goals.
What sets my approach apart is my ability to build rapport quickly. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable and understood from the very first session. I bring a natural sense of humor into the therapeutic space when appropriate - because therapy doesn't have to be heavy all the time - while maintaining clear, healthy boundaries that make the work feel safe and consistent.
My ideal clients are adults who are navigating life transitions, stress, or feeling stuck and are ready to do something about it. They don't need to have everything figured out before starting, they just need to be open to the process and willing to do the work. I thrive with clients who want a collaborative, straightforward therapeutic relationship. No fluff, just real progress toward feeling better and functioning well in their daily life.
Strength-Based
I like to focus on what's already working for you just as much as what brings you to therapy. Rather than centering solely on your struggles, we identify your existing strengths, resources, and resilience and use them as the foundation for the work we do together.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify patterns in their thoughts and behaviors that may be getting in the way of how they want to feel and function. It's practical, collaborative, and focused on building skills you can actually use outside of sessions.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
My person-centered approach means that you are the expert on your own life. I provide a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel genuinely accepted and understood, an we work at a pace that feels right for you.
Motivational Interviewing
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore and work through ambivalence about change. Rather than pushing a specific direction, I ask questions that help you connect with your own values and motivations so that the decision to change feels like yours - because it is.