Laura Richardson, Ph.D.

I fell in love with DBT when I first learned it in graduate school. It is the most effective treatment I have done and changes happen more quickly than using other methods that I know. There is something about knowing you can take someone who is at the lowest of the low and bring them back into their lives, and thrive.

After having done DBT for some years, I noticed that we couldn't budge many thoughts and experiences related to past trauma. I sent some clients out to get EMDR from other clinicians, and it worked so well for my clients that I took the training myself and became certified in it. I also learned DBT-PE which is an exposure-based trauma therapy. Trauma therapy was the missing piece in my work and it can often change thoughts and emotions that other therapies can’t budge.

In doing DBT and EMDR we noticed as a practice two things – many clients were experiencing distress that was based on racial discrimination and on discrimination towards LGBTQIA+ folks. In the past few years, we have sought out training and consultation to reduce our personal biases as therapists and to be effective affirming and anti-racist therapists. We also preferentially hire those with lived experience.

On a personal note, I have the experience of being a parent to a trans child who is now in her 20s and I am committed to helping other parents, adolescents, and adults through their process.

Qualifications:

  • Certification in DBT from the Linehan Board of Certification (DBT-LBC™). DBT-LBC board volunteer - diversity committee.

  • Principal Clinical Psychologist at Essex County Hospital Center, a county in-patient psychiatric hospital in northern New Jersey where she was the Project Director of the DBT program.

  • Past continuing education reviewer for Behavior Tech, LLC (the company that teaches DBT).

  • Additional training in DBT including:

    • Advanced DBT intensive with Charlie Swenson, M.D. and Kelly Koerner, Ph.D.

    • Adolescent DBT training with Jill Rathus, Ph.D. and Alec Miller, Ph.D.

    • Adolescent and family DBT with Alan Fruzetti, Ph.D.

    • DBT Prolonged Exposure (DBT-PE), an evidence-based trauma treatment delivered within the DBT framework. With Melanie Harned, Ph.D.

  • Certified in EMDR by EMDRIA.

  • Clinical advisory board member for Emotions Matter, Inc., an advocacy and education non-profit for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder and their families.

  • Previously served on the New Jersey Psychological Association’s Ethics Education and Resource Committee.

  • NJ License#: 35SI00480300 and NY License#: 018389, Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT).