ABOUT
My name is Laura Thompson and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist. I’m a native to the New River Valley and spend my time at the lake or traveling; with my two dogs always close by. I graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and after graduation I returned home to be closer to family. During my time away at college, I gained many amazing internship opportunities but with these experiences, it made me reflect on my love for my hometown and how I may have taken it for granted all these years. The New River Valley is home.
My professional career started in working with adults before transitioning to a position with treatment foster care, only confirming my passion for working with children and adolescents. I worked in this setting for five years while closely coordinating with community partners, foster families, birth families, children, and adolescents in reaching their goal of family reunification, independent living and adoption. For the past 9 years, I’ve increased clinical experience in community mental health supporting children and their families in navigating challenges in their school setting.
My experiences and specialties include working with attachment issues, abuse and neglect, foster care and adoption, behavioral difficulties at school and/or at home, attention difficulties/ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, Anxiety, Depression, adjustment to major life transition, behavior problems, compulsive disorders, ODD, conduct disorders, grief and loss, LGBTQ, post-traumatic stress disorder, reactive attachment disorder, self-esteem, situational or chronic stress, social skills and guiding families through academic challenges in the public school system and how families can be the child’s best advocate. I utilize varies treatment modalities such as play therapy, trauma focused CBT, person centered, and strengths based to help individuals and families reach their individualized treatment goals for therapy.
I also have a special interest in guiding adolescents and young adults with life transitions in determining educational and/or career ambitions and entering the workforce. As a first-generation college student, myself, I enjoy supporting young people in recognizing their gifts, talents and skills in making educational decisions and career planning.
I encourage you to contact me directly at laura@learningtorisetherapy.com with any questions or inquiries about my experience working with various demographics and therapy topics, as well as treatment approaches that will best suite you and/or your family.