Laura Heitman, MSW, LCSW
I look forward to partnering with you in an effort to support your emotional health. I believe that caring for our mind and our emotional health is as important as caring for our body and physical health, or anything else that we might do to care for ourselves and our relationships. Engaging in a therapeutic relationship is a brave and health enhancing step on your part and I hope to be fully present with you, providing a place to explore your thoughts and emotions and to feel fully heard and understood.
It is my intention to be a collaborative therapist to help support and coach you in your efforts toward identifying goals and learning new skills and practices that support a more authentic, satisfying and wholehearted sense of being in your daily life and in your relationships. Together with compassion, humor and curiosity we will navigate your difficulties and focus on your strengths and the outcomes that enhance and contribute to a sense of competency and empowerment.
Specialty Areas:
To support these intentions, I offer the therapeutic intervention of AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) as a trained and certified handler with a therapy dog, Skye, a 3 year old australian shepherd. AAT is a goal directed intervention that recognizes and promotes the bond that quickly develops between ourselves and animals to support the treatment process. In addition to AAT, I utilize CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), mindfulness based practices, motivational interviewing, SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and solution focused therapies.
I have worked in the public schools, in collaboration with educators, for many years, with an understanding of how social and emotional difficulties can impact a child’s school performance and social relationships. I have extensive experience in providing support for individuals with learning and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. I also enjoy, and have experience in the areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, parenting, women’s issues and anger management. LGBT+ affirming.
Professional Highlights:
Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan, 1995
National Association of Social Workers- New Mexico , School Social Worker of the Year, 1999-2000
Albuquerque Public Schools Crisis Response Team
Field Supervisor, New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work
Issues and Therapy Types:
Anxiety, Coping Skills, Grief/Loss, Life transtions, Mid-life issues, Moms and caregivers, Relationships, School Issues, Self-Esteem / empowerment, Stress Management, Women’s Issues
CBT, Mindfulness, Trauma-Informed, Motivational Interviewing, Holistic / Integrative Therapy, Animal-assisted therapy, Solution focused, Non-religious therapy
