About Dr Laura

Hi, I’m Dr Laura. My treatment approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients resolve current problems and long-standing patterns. I incorporate a blend of conventional and alternative approaches, drawing upon an eclectic variety of techniques to incorporate what will be most helpful for each individual client. With sensitivity and compassion, humor and perspective, I work with each client to help them build on their strengths, heal from past (or current) issues, and/or identify and achieve life goals.

I work with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are: relationships, marriage counseling, couples counseling, domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, forensic psychology and other trauma related issues as well as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, LBGTQ, grief and loss, trauma, mid-life changes and related issues, kink, divorce and changing families, and other relationship issues.

In addition to my counseling practice, I was an adjunct professor at Hodges University where I created and taught a masters level counseling trauma course in the mental health counseling program. I have also been an adjunct at Florida Gulf Coast University in the criminal justice program. I also provide training seminars and presentations at conferences and local human services agencies on domestic violence, sexual abuse and rape, trauma, addictions, and forensic psychology

Areas of Expertise

I work with a broad spectrum of clients. Among my areas of expertise are: domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, forensic psychology and other trauma related issues as well as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anger management, LBGTQ, grief and loss, trauma, mid-life changes and related issues, divorce and changing families, and other relationship issues

 

Professional Activities

I served as the Clinical Director of Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT) which provides residential and non-residential services for victims of domestic and sexual violence for more than 10 years. In addition to my supervisory duties, I continued to provide a great deal of direct clinical, case management and advocacy services to clients.

In addition to my work with victims of domestic and sexual violence, I created and facilitated a juvenile domestic violence diversion program for teens arrested for domestic violence and their families.

I also spent three and a half years doing weekly domestic violence, sexual assault and anger management education with both adult male and female inmates in the Lee County Correctional System.

Over the years, I have been an active member of several Southwest Florida community organizations and professional boards. I served as a past president for both the Lee County Homeless Coalition and the Southwest Florida Trauma Recovery Network. I served as a member of the Southwest Florida Human Trafficking Task Force and Board of Directors of the Family Resources Center (a not-for-profit agency offering supervised visitation). In addition, I have served an 8 year term on the Lee County Fatality Review Board and a 6 year term on the Lee County Human Relations Review Board (formally EEOC Review Board). Currently I am serving on the Board of Directors for Visuality (a not-for profit organization) providing services and support to LBGTQ teens and young adults.

I am or have been a member of several professional organizations, including: Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Lee County Homeless Coalition, Family Resource Center Board of Directors, Visuality Board, Southwest Florida Trauma Recovery Network, and Southwest Florida Human Trafficking Task Force, American Counseling Association, and the Lee County Association of Family Law Professional

I am happily married and I have a 19 year old son. I am originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but I have lived in Fort Myers, Florida since 1987.

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