Laura Van Riper

I use an integrative approach to help clients tap into their innate ability to heal. I continue to be amazed at how the combination of insight-oriented psychotherapy and somatic strategies, especially Somatic Experiencing, can help clients overcome longstanding obstacles to enhanced physical and mental health. My practice focus is on life transitions, adult survivors of childhood abuse, those with chronic illness, those in, or in need of recovery from addiction/s, and the treatment of anxiety and depression. In addition to my certification in Somatic Experiencing, I am an assistant at Somatic Experiencing trainings and have taken several master classes with Peter Levine. I studied with the Center for Mind-Body Medicine, where I deepened my study of meditation and guided imagery. I am also trained in and use EMDR, CBT, and DBT. I earned my Masters Degree from Columbia University in Advanced Clinical Social Work, and my B.A. in Psychology from Boston College. My post-graduate clinical training was completed at a busy outpatient center in Connecticut, where I gained experience working with a wide variety of client and family challenges. In my first professional life, I managed, recruited, counseled, coached and trained executives in a variety of Corporate Human Resources positions and ultimately led a HR department as a Vice-President. As the founding director of Parent Awareness of the YWCA of Darien-Norwalk, I designed their risk prevention program and worked with school administrators, parents and volunteers to help families raise resilient children. A member of the National Association of Social Workers, and a volunteer with the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, I am an activist for multiple social justice causes. I am the proud parent of two young adults, two loving dogs and spend as much time as possible outside.