laura merritt (she/her)

Are you experiencing painful sex, low desire for your partner, self-image issues in the bedroom, erectile dysfunction or difficulty with sexual pleasure and orgasm? Sex and intimacy concerns might feel difficult to discuss, but they are more common than you might think. Many people with a trauma history experience challenges with intimacy. Whether you're experiencing difficulties with emotional or physical intimacy, or looking to improve your sexual experience. Sex therapy can help.

Are you ready to say goodbye to overwhelming worry, chronic stress and isolation? Are you ready to improve your relationships? Are you ready to heal from trauma? Anxiety impacts our thoughts, emotions and sensations in the body like difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat or overwhelming thoughts. I get is and I can help. In individual therapy, I integrate techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and somatic therapy working with the Mind-Body-Spirit connection.

In the realm of trauma, the impact extends far beyond our minds and memories. Our bodies bear the weight of our experiences, often storing elements of past trauma within our very tissues. As the saying goes, "Your issues are in your tissues." Understanding the connection between trauma and the body opens us up to other avenues for healing and recovery. A holistic approach involves understanding what happens in your brain and body when you encounter triggers or get overwhelmed.

As an expert in trauma treatment, Laura’s approach combines traditional therapy techniques with a holistic perspective to promote healing on multiple levels. Treatment involves utilizing a range of evidence-based modalities, tailored to meet your individual needs. With a deep understanding of the mind-body connection, she creates a safe and supportive environment, empowering you to process your traumatic experiences, develop healthy coping strategies and create a meaningful life.

When we experience trauma, our bodies instinctively react. The autonomic nervous system activates the sympathetic and/or parasympathetic nervous system. When we are under threat, the body will respond by being mobilized or immobilized, “fight or flight” or “freeze or fawn”. Unresolved trauma keeps these systems on making emotions and sensations very intense. Holistic therapy is focused on learning how to detect these systems, regulate them, understand the root cause and heal.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for understanding the different elements of healing from PTSD and anxiety. Incorporating thoughts, emotions and sensations while revisiting painful experiences, the body is able to process and heal.

I specialize in working with people who have experienced abuse in a variety on context including: relationships, childhood abuse and cultural issues

I specialize in helping folks with anxiety including worry, chronic stress, obsessions, panic and avoidance patterns.

I specialize in helping folks with PTSd related to: childhood trauma, developmental trauma, adult trauma including natural disasters, accent, DV, first responders, war and military related trauma.