Meet Laurel
SERVING AGES 3+ FOR INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY THERAPY, PARENT CONSULTATIONS, AND EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED GROUPS
Cliche that all therapists love coffee, but here I am, another one! Lover of all tasty lattes and funky coffee shops
Always finding new hobbies (current one is gardening)
Love to eat but notoriously a bad cook
Extrovert who probably spends a little too much time with family/friends and not enough time doing chores
Lover of all creative projects, painting, crafts (although I tend to start big ideas and never finish- woohooo adhd!)
Could listen to a good mystery/thriller audiobook all day
Outdoorsy and love hiking, adventuring, and camping in new places
Passionate about becoming a therapist since my adolescence
LAUREL TOBIAS, MSW, LCSW
Laurel is a passionate therapist who has been providing services to children, adolescents, and families in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. since 2019. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University and her Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Laurel has worked with children and families in a variety of settings, including an integrated care clinic, community agency, and in private practice. She specializes in supporting kiddos with a variety of mental health needs: ADHD, Anxiety disorders, Depression, Attachment injuries, Trauma, adjustment issues, social skill concerns, behavioral challenges, and complex illnesses and healthcare needs. She is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive space for children and their caregivers and is committed to helping families foster emotional resilience and stronger connections.
MY WHY
As a neurodivergent girlie myself, I could never quite pinpoint "what was wrong with me" when I was a school-aged child. I knew that something was different, but it was hard to name what was keeping me from being able to do my work, maintain a clear train of thought, and focus in the same way my classmates were. I remember having a really hard time finding motivation for much of anything and sharing these concerns with my family. Two things happened my sophomore year of high school which changed how I viewed my future: I was diagnosed with ADHD and I stepped into my first Psychology class. In those moments, it all came together. I felt validated in my experiences and knew that I wanted to be able to share that same feeling with other people.
Deciding to work with children and teens was the easy part. I have always found joy in all of my interactions with kids. Even as a teenager babysitting my neighbors, getting to witness how those tiny eyes absorbed the world and experienced new things was enchanting. I am fascinated by human development and it is truly magical to watch kids learn, grow, and become more of themselves every day. I knew I wanted to be an integral part in supporting kids and helping them feel seen and validated as they navigate their worlds and overcome challenges. I'm grateful to this profession for giving me that small role in so many young peoples lives.
MY STYLE
Laurel specializes in treatment of children ages 4-13 as well as adolescents and provides coaching and support to parents/caregivers. She uses a client- centered approach and tailors treatment to fit the needs of the kiddo or family. Primarily, Laurel leans Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts, Mindfulness, and directive play therapy techniques such as art, sand tray, and game play to shape the way she interacts with young clients. She incorporates Filial Therapy for relationship enhancement between caregivers and kiddos, parent coaching and processing techniques from Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and anxiety management strategies and treatment from Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). She enjoys being creative with her clients and encourages them to explore many different methods of self expression. Laurel strives to keep the therapy space authentic, goal-oriented, and non-judgemental in order to promote safety and personal growth.
In addition to work, Laurel spends time doing yoga, traveling, eating, and pushing her cats off of her computer when they rudely try to interrupt Zoom sessions.
Specialties & Certifications
PCIT (in training)
Child Centered Play Therapy
Sandtray Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children & Adolescents
Trauma Focused CBT
Filial Therapy
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
SPACE Expanded: Treatment for Arfid & Failure to Launch
Emotion Focused Family Therapy
