Laura Eklund

hank you for taking the time to view my home page. I have been a therapist since 2004 working in both private and group practice before joining with Kaiser Permanente psychiatry in 2012. I was originally based in the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. until in 2015 when I was offered the opportunity to transfer to the East Bay while visiting for vacation. Prior to being a therapist with Kaiser Permanente I felt called to develop my skills to specializing in therapy styles that focus on what works, specifically in the areas of trauma. I have experience providing forensic psychology for county court systems and providing therapeutic support for high-risk Labor and Delivery patients. I earned my clinical social work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, which was awarded a top 5 ranking in the field. I studied at the Mary Ainsworth Attachment Clinic at University of Virginia as a post-graduate. Since joining Kaiser Permanente, I have been trained in trauma reprocessing, sometimes referred to as EMDR, a therapy intervention that can assist with significantly reducing trauma symptoms. I am very interested in the use for OCD, specific phobias continuing recovery from addictions, eating disorders, and rebuilding trust in relationships. I was part of a Ben Hudnell Grant in the training and implementation of Dialectical Behavioral Theory (DBT), a therapy style which is clinically proven to assist persons managing mood dysregulation, emotional intensity. This essential therapy can help reduce behaviors such as emotional eating, bipolar mood swings, personality disordered traits, and unstable relationships patterns. My therapy approach is skillful and solution focused with emphasis on mindfulness, compassionate self -view, healthy communication, and validation of the individual. I enjoy teaching weekly on the topics of DBT skills as well as seeing clients individually in all areas, but with specific focus to those with acute trauma and PTSD.