Golden Path Journey  & Experienced Psychotherapist in Seattle, Washington

Hi! I’m Laura

Many people seek out therapy for trauma after years of coping or just getting by. I understand that living with anxiety can be terrifying and I want to help improve your life.

Drawing from current research, natural healing techniques, and evidence-based practices, we’ll talk about what anxiety does in your brain and body so you learn resilience and how to heal. We’ll get to the root cause of your problems in relationships and stress so you can move forward in life.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey of therapy? Take the first step today by scheduling a consultation with me!

Laura’s Specialties

— Anxiety/Stress

— Post Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD

— Sex and Intimacy

— Ketamine Preparation and Integration 

— Psychedelic Integration Therapy

— Insomnia/Sleep Disorders

— Mood Disorders/BiPolar D/O

— Health Care Providers

— Veteran / Military

— Neurodiversity

— Tech Field

— Relationships and Dating

— Couples Work

Laura Merritt & Therapist

individual THERAPY

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? In individual therapy, Laura integrates techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and somatic therapy working with the Mind-Body-Spirit connection.

She’s focused her training on evidence-based treatments such as EMDR, CBT, Somatic Experiencing and parts work, her approach provides a comprehensive healing framework.

For compassionate therapy integrating somatic techniques, mindfulness, and evidence-based treatments, reach out to Laura.

PTSD AND TRAUMA RECOVERY

Traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on one's well-being. The latest research in the field of epigenetics has shown that the effect of unresolved trauma impacts future generations as well. As we expand our awareness of the effect of trauma on the individual to our communities and future generations, healing becomes more paramount.

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, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic experiencing, to address the complex symptoms of PTSD and trauma. 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 embark on a transformative journey towards holistic healing and recovery.

SEX AND INTIMACY

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. Through sex therapy, we can work to deepen your connection with your partner, and increase your overall sexual satisfaction

Psychedelic Psychotherapy in Los Angeles

PSYCHEDELIC PREPARATION & INTEGRATION

Treatment for Anxiety and Trauma is shifting away from symptom management to using deeper explorations of consciousness to promote healing. Sometimes healing from anxiety and trauma can be supported with the use of medicines like Ketamine or psychedelics.

The experience alone may not result in true life change and growth without support and guidance throughout the treatment.

Psychedelic Preparation sessions occur prior to a ketamine or psychedelic experience to reduce the risk of harm and maximize the potential benefits.

Psychedelic Integration occurs after the experience. These sessions are goal-oriented and focus on understanding and integrating insights gained from the experience into daily life.

  • Please note that the Psychedelic Integration Therapy is intended to be a safe space for those who have used, are currently using, or intend to use psychedelic substances in their personal lives and outside of a legal setting. Psychedelic Integration Therapy does not involve providing or prescribing any psychedelic or other controlled substance to a client during the course of therapy. Additionally, it does not include referring to “underground” resources, recommending use, guiding, supervising or otherwise being present with a client during a psychedelic experience. Clients should not plan to attend therapy sessions while under the influence of any psychedelic or any other controlled substance, unless prescribed by a doctor.

COUPLES THERAPY

We can experience profound healing through relationships, and yet, relationships can also cause great anxiety and stress. Anxiety can have an impact on how deeply we connect with a partner and if we tend to pull away.

In couples therapy, Laura uses the research-supported Gottman Method to help couples strengthen the foundation of friendship and trust. Couples also work on practical skills for conflict resolution by learning to navigate the physical activations of the anxiety and stress response.

Couples therapy may explore anxiety, intimacy, desire, sexual needs, and releasing and/or confronting taboos. Laura helps couples develop goals for rekindling desire and arousal by focusing on nurturing the experience of pleasure and connection within the relationship.

Availability & rates

Therapy via Televideo to clients in Washington, California and Texas

Please email to check availability. 

I currently have availability for new clients.

My office hours are: 10-4 PST Monday - Friday

Sessions are weekly for individual, weekly or every other week for couples. 

Rates

Individual | $235

Couples | $285

Insurance:

If you are looking to use insurance, I am not in network with any health insurance companies. There are other options, though. If you have out-of-network benefits, you may be able to get reimbursed for a portion of your therapy costs, depending on the specifics of your plan and deductible. I'm more than happy to provide you with a "superbill" that you can electronically file to your insurance company for reimbursement. In these cases, you submit the superbill (or receipt) and the insurance company sends you a check. If you have any questions about your coverage, I encourage you to reach out to your insurance company directly to get specific reimbursement amounts. In case your insurance doesn't cover out-of-network providers, there's still an option for you. You can consider using your HSA or FSA account to pay for therapy with pre-tax income.

Use the tool below to get an estimate of your out of network benefits.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to let me know. I'm here to help!

 FAQ'S

  • Holistic Psychotherapy is an integrative approach to health and wellness, looking at the Whole You. Sessions will focus on the Mind, Body and Spirit, and explore a range of topics from body oriented elements like getting good quality sleep, exploring and expressing emotions, developing skills like breathwork or mindfulness, regulating the nervous system, learning skills for effective communication, processing past traumas or difficult events, with a goal of developing a deeper level of self awareness and self expression.

  • All sessions are via televideo so you can access therapy from any location.

  • Each session is about 50 minutes, the length of time a person attends therapy can vary depending on their particular goals. The range can be from a few sessions to several years.

  • I don’t accept insurance however, your plan might allow for out of network benefits. If so, I can give a receipt (called a superbill) which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement, depending on your plan.

  • Credit cards, HAS/FSA, debit cards and Venmo are accepted forms of payment

  • No, I do not prescribe any medication. You can check with your MD or ARNP about possible medication options.