Laura Kern

Welcome! Reaching out is often the most difficult step to initiate change in our lives. I am so glad that you have stopped by and are looking to make change. My name is Laura and I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker . I received my Masters in Social Work at the University of Kentucky and spent my first 1.5 post graduate school in Lexington, Kentucky serving those with severe mental illnesses, trauma, and substance use. From there, I moved to New York, where I started my career with the VA. I have worked with clients with a wide range of struggles, including, depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, and trauma from military, childhood, and civilian life. Not only have I worked with clients with those types of struggles, but I have also worked with clients that are struggling with life changes, marriage, divorce, grief and loss. I have been trained by the VA to work with clients who are struggling with new or ongoing health issues. I have enjoyed working in all of these areas with my clients! I typically utilize Cognitive Behavioral and Solution focused approach with my clients. I believe that it is important to identify areas in which one wants to improve and possible solutions to those areas and struggles a person is experiencing. I am very client-focused, meaning that I am willing to discuss and address whatever the client wishes, not what I think would be best at that exact moment. I believe that this approach allows for clients to make progress, while feeling safe and comfortable. To me, the most important piece of counseling and therapy, is the therapeutic relationship and I encourage all of my clients to be open and honest with me, so that we have a strong therapeutic relationship! I am looking forward to working with you and seeing the growth and progress that you can make!