Laura White , LCSW-R

Laura White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Registered (LCSW-R) practicing from New York with a career in social work that began in 1980. Her entry into the field came while working as a research assistant at Suffolk County Jail, an experience that affirmed her commitment to social work and informed a practice grounded in real-world systems and lived experience.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Social Work, complemented by additional masters-level coursework in gerontology. Laura is also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Level One, certified in 2001. Her clinical approach blends person-centered principles and family systems thinking with evidence-informed techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and the Socratic method. This combination supports a supportive, goal-oriented style that seeks strengths and builds self-esteem.

Laura works with a broad range of concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD and trauma, addictions, eating disorders, ADHD, relationship and family issues, grief and end-of-life matters, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, and intimacy-related and sexual abuse issues. She also attends to specialized areas such as adoption and foster care, aging and geriatric issues, body image, cancer-related concerns, and dissociation. Having experienced multiple family losses to cancer, she brings both personal and professional insight to care for people facing serious illness and caregiving burdens.

When appropriate, Laura researches and suggests referrals for medication management, rehabilitation programs, and other community resources. Her practice emphasizes collaboration, practical goals, and building on existing strengths to support long-term coping and recovery.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Laura White integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy into her online practice. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, empathetic environment where a person’s strengths and values guide the work, which can be especially helpful for building self-esteem and exploring identity-related concerns. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, offering practical tools for anxiety, depression, mood regulation, and everyday coping.

She is also trained in EMDR, which is an approach used to process traumatic memories by combining focused attention with guided techniques; it is often used for post-traumatic stress and trauma-related symptoms. In an online setting EMDR-informed strategies can be adapted to support processing while collaborating closely on pacing and comfort.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Laura works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She tailors interventions over time and remains responsive to what works best for the individual.

Online therapy with Laura can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, work commitments, or limited mobility. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care across locations and life changes while allowing therapists and clients to focus on practical, goal-oriented work.