LAURA DEMPSEY, MSW, LCSW
Welcome! I am so glad that you are here. It is a true privilege to walk alongside families as they journey toward greater health and happiness. Taking the steps to reach out is courageous but can also be scary and overwhelming. I hope to provide information to empower you to make the best decisions for your child and family.
Throughout my 19 years of professional practice, I have worked exclusively with children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Psychotherapy with kids and teens looks different than it does with adults, so it is important to find a therapist who understands this and has the appropriate training to help your family.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, C005514) in North Carolina. I have specialized training in treating a range of issues including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, ADHD, OCD, life transitions and adjustments, and anger problems. Clients may also work on goals such as enhancing social skills, self-esteem, developing healthy communication patterns, or improving interpersonal relationships.
At its heart, counseling is about creating a safe, trusted relationship where we can address challenges and work together to find solutions, growth, and healing. My approach to counseling is eclectic, meaning I pull from a number of evidence-based treatment models to tailor our work specifically to what makes sense for you. This often includes cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, play therapy, and humanistic approaches. Aside from my experience as a child and family therapist, I have also been a school social worker for three years. This background also allows me to bring an educational perspective to our work together. I believe strongly in the inherent worth and unique potential of all people. I also realize that you know yourself and/or your child better than anyone. We will work together to explore solutions that work for you.
Being a kid or teen today is no easy task, and parenting is not for the faint at heart! I don't know your story yet, but my hope is that whatever that story is, that I might walk with your family on a path toward healing, health, renewed connection, and greater joy.