Laura Reagan, MSW, LCSW-C
Bio
Laura Reagan, MSW, LCSW-C, is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, blogger, consultant, and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator practicing in the Baltimore, Maryland area.
Laura started her career working with survivors of trauma in a sexual assault crisis center, first as a volunteer in 2002 and later as a full-time employee. She and her family relocated to Maryland in 2006, and she began working with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence there prior to grad school. During her first year internship at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, she had the opportunity to work with immigrants and refugees who were survivors of torture and war trauma. She continued working with survivors of sexual and physical violence, including child abuse, during her clinical internship and after graduation. She is now in private practice focusing on clients who are survivors of childhood abuse and neglect, and she is fascinated with helping people who work with survivors of trauma to address self-care and vicarious traumatization.
The Quote
The wound is the place where the light enters you.
Rumi
What Led to the Specialization of Trauma?
Laura talks about her winding path from high school to then becoming a paralegal and working with clients who had been traumatized, to then slowly honing in on her calling of working with victims of sexual assault.
A Crucial Early Mistake
Laura talks about how as a young therapist working in the field of sexual assault crisis she would often feel as if it was her job to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. This belief ended up coming to a head around one particular client.
Laura’s Why
Laura talks about being inspired to do her part to limit the amount of violence in the world.
Laura’s advice
- Get good supervision.
- Allow yourself to be vulnerable in supervision.
Laura’s go-to books
- Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others, Laura Van Dernoot Lipsky
Interview Links
Sponsors
United State Association for Body Psychotherapy: A therapist-centered membership association committed to organizing, representing, and shaping the future of psychotherapy. Supported by a rich history in somatic psychology and the healing potential of body/mind integration, body psychotherapists help people to deal with their concerns not only through talking but also by helping them to become deeply aware of their bodily sensations, emotions, images, movements, and behaviours.