Laura Ostrow, Licensed Psychotherapist # 83691
A little about me…
I have devoted my entire adult life to pursuing one goal: Figuring out my “happiness strategy”. I’ve delved deeply into becoming aware of and then releasing my own limiting negative beliefs, challenging my insecurities and facing my fears head on. EMDR was pivotal for me in this process, which is why providing this incredible tool to people has been one of the most fulfilling gifts in my life.
I am also an avid student of yoga, and I embrace mind/body and East/West healing modalities. All of this combined has revealed that, contrary to the way I was raised and despite being a motherless daughter, I can actually create a life that makes me happy, and healthy. Now, my goal is to support you so together we can explore YOUR strategy. I am inspired to help you discover the power you have to control your own happiness, regardless of your past. With an informal and engaging style, I enjoy building authentic connections with my clients. Having found meaning in a non-traditional path in life, I am passionate about supporting others in following their own unique form of bliss as well.
With a trauma informed and culturally sensitive lens, I have addressed a wide range of issues and psychiatric disorders including women’s issues, LGBTQ issues, grief and loss, trauma, stress management, PTSD, depression and anxiety. I have helped numerous people navigate the challenges of daily living, freeing themselves from destructive patterns and negative beliefs. I am dedicated to helping you improve the quality of your relationship with your self and others, and find balance in how you approach your life no matter what phase of life you are in.
As a secular white woman from a Jewish background, I have many unearned privileges. That said, I identify as Queer; I believe the Personal is Political and strive to live out these values. I align myself with the principals of the Black Lives Matter and Free Palestine movement and use therapy as a tool to uplift all oppressed people, whether I am working with white allies or those from marginalized communities and people of color. I thrive through supporting other like-minded people who bring their passion into their personal and professional lives so that our movement can be grounded in self AND community care.
Training and Education
I attended the University of California at Santa Cruz as an undergraduate and received my masters’ degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University in 2009. Since then I have worked in various community based organizations serving diverse populations including hospice, inpatient drug treatment, day treatment program for dually diagnosed people and a foster family agency. For several years I worked specifically with people recovering from opiate addiction where I strengthened my skills, knowledge and confidence in helping people develop healthy coping mechanisms to replace addictive behaviors through motivational interviewing, mindfulness and relational therapy.
I have completed an EMDRIA approved EMDR training program and I now offer these services to people interested in using this highly effective tool to overcome and resolve trauma. Training in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) has also proven immensely helpful in coping with anxiety which clients can practice in virtual therapy sessions and on their own.