Laura Martin, LCSW
There is more right with us than there is wrong with us. It can be hard to see this when dealing with depression, anxiety, pain, illness, trauma, grief, addiction, money problems, stress, or relationship problems.
In an atmosphere of safety, presence, and compassionate listening, together we bring gentle, wise attention to areas of imbalance and stress. Our focus is on seeing and accepting ourselves as whole as well as expanding tools and abilities to work with difficulty.
The skills of mindfulness return us to awareness. With practice, we can become more awake and in touch with the vibrancy of our lives. Reconnecting with our deepest values, we find the ability to face our difficulties with courage and integrity, and participate wholeheartedly in our lives.
I have been a social worker since 1993, with broad experience in the field of mental health, working with individuals, couples, and groups. I have been using and teaching skills of mindfulness and meditation for several years, and practicing cognitive-behavioral therapies, with a client-centered approach. I am an instructor of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a program with extensive and ongoing research supporting its effectiveness. My own meditation practice is in the Zen tradition.