Laura Dowd, LCSW, LADC-II

Clinician | they/them
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Libra

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Taurus

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Capricorn

Ask me about…

my therapy assistant Phoebe (my cat)

Clinical Interests:

Working with LGBTQ+ folks, practicing mindfulness, guided imagery, somatic-based approaches, addiction and eating disorder recovery through a harm reduction lens, social justice movements, and collective trauma work.

Language(s) spoken:

English

It is an honor to hold space for people’s emotions and experiences; I do not take that responsibility lightly. I strive to offer a safe and nonjudgmental therapeutic space where play, creativity, and being your whole self can be possible. I welcome clients of all ages and identities.

What brought you into this field?

My own experience in mental health treatment and grappling with finding meaning and hope in life at all stages has brought me into the field. I chose to pursue social work specifically for its encompassing of social justice, liberation and decolonization movements, and a systems perspective.

Counseling style:

Collaborative, warm, always seeking to learn more and grow as a clinician.

Modalities:

I draw from psychodynamic theory such as object relations, ACT /3rd wave CBT, DBT, queer theory, narrative therapy, multicultural theory, family theory, guided meditation and somatic work

Specializations:

Addiction recovery, working with teens and transitional age folks 

Education:

Smith College School for Social Work, UMass Boston Addiction Education Counseling Program

Past Experience:

Addiction counseling, group work and case management at various settings: state prisons, halfway houses, detox units.
MSW internships: high school adjustment counseling, community mental health outpatient therapy/trauma therapy
Dual diagnosis IOP/PHP counseling, group counseling kids/adults

Trainings:

Somatic experiencing
Somatic IFS Parts work level 1 certification, on-going training 
IDHA (Institute for the Development of Human Arts)  Transformative Mental Health trainings core curriculum
Dissociative Identities and Trauma
Motivational Interviewing