Laura-lee believes that no matter how vulnerable people appear to be they also have enormous strengths and capacities for recovery and resilience. Every person has something important to teach us about themselves. She strives to be a respectful, compassionate witness, a companion and guide as the healing journey unfolds. Laura is committed to providing knowledgeable and effective, trauma-informed, person-centered support as people explore their most pressing challenges and work toward new insights and growth.
Laura has experience working with adults and adolescents individually and in groups. Her training includes trauma-focused approaches to psychotherapy, substance use disorders, CBT, Basic EMDR, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), MI (Motivational Interviewing) and SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training). She often uses a multi-modal approach to therapy in order to individualize interventions that meet client needs and address their distress.
Originally from a small seacoast town in New England, Laura learned to sail and spent a good deal of time swimming in the ocean and combing the beach for sea glass. She enjoys any opportunity to learn something new especially when encountering people from various cultures, is an unbashed Red Sox fan, and loves to travel when she’s not working. Years ago, she trained in home inspection and enjoyed hands-on home rebuilding. In 2021, Laura moved to the San Luis Valley, where she spends time with family and enjoys the beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for art and photography.
Graduate Education:
Arizona State University, School of Social Work – Master of Social Work
Undergraduate Education:
Smith College – Bachelor of Arts, Women’s Studies and Government
Experience:
- Providing technical assistance, consultation, and training to mental health, substance use, and criminal justice organizations in the U.S. and Europe, focusing on trauma-informed, gender-specific, recovery-oriented service delivery, policy development, and evaluation.
- Began working in the social service field in the 1980’s with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Opportunities working with adolescents, elders, Veterans, women and children from a variety of cultures in community-based and institutional settings.
- Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System providing outreach, housing assistance and therapeutic support to homeless Veterans.
- Medical social worker for hospice.
Special Achievements:
- President’s Award for Advocacy Healing People with Histories of Trauma and Psychiatric Disabilities presented by On Our Own of Maryland, 2006
- Boston University School of Social Work Convocation Speaker, May 14, 2006
- Brendan Nugent Leadership Award for Promoting Empowerment of People with Psychiatric Disabilities in New York, presented by the New York Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (NYAPRS), now the Alliance for Rights and Recovery, 2001
