Our Team
Laura Goulian
LCSW
Laura received her Masters Degree in Social Work at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and an undergraduate degree in English from UNC-Chapel Hill. Since 1997, Laura has worked with parents to create homes where children thrive and parents feel equipped to face the inevitable challenges - small and big -- that come with raising children. After completing her clinical training in the Washington, DC, foster care system, Laura relocated to Raleigh where she has spent the last 20 years providing both group and individual service to adults and teens, with a special focus on attachment behaviors, interpersonal violence and anxiety management. Additionally she has supervised and mentored provisional clinicians at two local agencies. As a seasoned clinician, Laura enjoys working with clients in the second season of life and supporting life’s challenges across the lifespan and developmental timeline.
Clinical Supervisor, serving adults for individual therapy, support in the later years, parent support
Laura recognizes that families come in many packages and she welcomes all with compassion and curiosity. Whether meeting with individuals, leading groups or training other practitioners, Laura relies on the quality of the relationship and a trauma-informed orientation to spark growth and place past experiences into a coherent context. Principles of attachment theory, family systems theory and mindfulness guide her work.
My Style
Certifications & Focus Areas
Polyvagal Theory-Informed Trauma Treatment with Deb Dana
Evidence-based Approaches to Support Emerging Adulthood
Connection Coalition Trauma-Informed Intervention Certification
Motivational Interviewing
Circle of Security-Parenting™ International Provider
Helping Clients Recognize, Understand and Move Beyond Anger
Blue Lotus Yoga, Practicing Presence
NASW Clinical Supervision Certificate
Groundwater Training Level 1, The Racial Equity Institute
This work feels meaningful to me because I am able to witness the transformational power of personal exploration in the context of privacy and unconditional acceptance. From a place of comfort and trust, clients begin to evaluate their stories with creativity, identifying connections they never noticed before or themes that wind through the years, showing up first in one place and then another.
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As I think about my most successful sessions, I compare them to a collage or a quilt – together the client and I examine interesting items to see how they complement the whole: some of these scraps end up contributing perfectly as we build toward our final cohesive piece, others end up discarded as they ultimately interfere with the harmony of what we are creating together.
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Witnessing a client’s growing insight offers me tremendous satisfaction because I recognize that insight flows from an openness that can feel quite scary at times – what an honor it is when a client trusts me enough to invite me into this process.
My Why
Attempts to get time with her greatest teachers – her 3 young adult children.
Enjoys paddleboarding
Enjoys playing mah jong with friends
Prepares elaborate meals
Attends the occasional sound bath.
Is a proud Wake County Public School parent, where she volunteered for nearly 20 years.
Served on the board of Temple Beth Or Preschool and The Diaper Train
Raleigh, North Carolina
Servimg
Located in the heart of Raleigh, our office is conveniently situated near Fred Fletcher Park, St. Mary's Street, Wade Avenue, and Glenwood Avenue, just minutes from Broughton High School and Raleigh Charter High School.
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The office offers convenient parking, a dedicated playroom for children, and afternoon appointment availability, creating a welcoming space for children, teens, parents, and families.