Meet Laura
Welcome! I’m Laura Swanson, a trauma-informed psychotherapist and mindfulness coach. I am the founder and owner of Inner Compass Psychotherapy, a holistic & eclectic practice that offers both therapy and coaching sessions.
I am a mind-body psychotherapist and coach, and I believe in the power of connecting to nature and listening to one’s inner voice, as well self reflection through presence, introspection, and journaling. I have also seen time and time again the absolute necessity of community and collective healing, and know that healing and growth does not happen in a vacuum.
I began my journey to psychotherapy & social work at a young age, as I was innately drawn to listening to others and showing up to serve my community. From this desire to contribute to social change, I completed my BS in Social Work. Shortly after, I had begun to see the transformational power of clinical social work, being with others as we processed and moved through their traumas, wounds, and found a path forward, and I completed my Master’s Degree at Columbia University’s School of Social Work in 2020.
As the years have passed, I have honed my niche by making space for more integrative and holistic care as I have seen how trauma and stress is stored in the body. This includes the use of somatic therapy techniques, mindfulness practices, as well as cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic therapy approaches. Moreover, I have come to see the necessity of engaging the inner child and healing attachment wounds, leading me to pull from internal family systems as needed. No matter what particular theories and methods influence my approach, I am diligent in maintaining practices that are anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and anti-colonial.
Furthermore, I maintain that regardless of technique, the most important piece to our work together is the therapeutic relationship. It is with this in mind, therapy and coaching are collaborative approaches, and I hold that you are the expert of your experience. I am simply here as a guide to offer insight, strategies, and support processing so you can move forward to thrive in the life you desire for yourself.
I, Laura Swanson, am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State (#097728).
Prior to launching my own practice in July 2024, I worked as a psychotherapist at Lincoln Square Psychotherapy, providing trauma informed therapy for adults in New York City managing anxiety, depression, and trauma. I was also a therapist at Community Counseling & Mediation in Brooklyn, New York, where I provided treatment to community residents that experienced suicidal and homicidal ideation, were involved in child welfare and the court system, and were in need of outpatient treatment. During my undergraduate education, I was privileged to support children and families recovering from childhood sexual abuse and trafficking, and was actively involved in advocacy for survivors and community preventative education.
Outside of my psychotherapy and coaching practice, I am also the Founder and Co-Director of The Social Work Neighborhood mentoring program, as well as the host of The Social Work Bubble Podcast, both of which aim to support social workers so they can thrive as professionals.
In my personal life, I enjoy a slower pace lifestyle, spending much of my time hiking and camping, baking bread, roaming bookstores and thrift shops, reading, and feeding whatever hyperfixation hobby I have at the moment. Throughout my life journey, I have been able to develop consistent mindfulness practices that have enabled me to be in tune with my inner voice and intuition, and have allowed me to lean into my higher self. I understand the barriers and difficulties that come in this journey, and approach all change and healing with compassion and patience.