“Being a parent is one of the most challenging, humbling, and rewarding experiences of my life. Two of my best teachers are my children, Sequoia & Sean. They are my greatest inspirations and constantly help me to grow as a teacher, practitioner, and person.”
MINDFULNESS FOR FAMILIES
Laurie is a trained Mindfulness-based Interventionist, Trauma-informed Nonviolent Parent Educator & Integrative Holistic Practitioner who specializes in working with youth, parents, couples and families.
Private Sessions Individuals, couples, and families are provided with effective strategies and support on how to heal chronic stress and overwhelm, attentional and emotional challenges, and destructive and disconnecting communication. Clients are gently guided in how to cultivate healthier ways to self regulate, compassionately connect, relate to themselves and others, and build resiliency. They receive a customized support plan that includes mindfulness, somatic and resiliency-based practices and resources that best serve clients’ unique needs and interests. Sessions are available virtually or in person at Laurie’s office in Studio City.
Trauma-informed Nonviolent Parenting 10 Week Program Parenting is one of the most creative and exhausting jobs you’ll ever have. Sometimes you’ll find yourself saying or doing things to your child you swore you would never do. This 10 class parenting series draws on the latest scientific research on brain and child development, as well as the effects of childhood toxic stress. Discover how to communicate in ways that deepen your relationship with your child and begin to model the skills that are proven to help your child succeed at school, have more rewarding relationships and enjoy a longer, healthier life.
Mindful Parenting & Compassionate Parenting Parents and caregivers learn about mindfulness and compassion in an accessible, secular and inclusive way that can be easily utilized for even the busiest and most burdened of parents. When coming together in a community with other parents we can break the facade of perfect parenting, feelings of isolation, and cultivate the wisdom of present parenting while enjoying the support, humor, and connection of our shared humanity.
Mindfulness Self Compassion (MSC) 8 Week Course Created by Dr. Kristin Neff & Dr. Christopher Germer, this course teaches the basics of mindfulness and how Self-compassion is a courageous mental attitude that stands up to harm—the harm that we inflict on ourselves every day by overworking, overeating, overanalyzing, and overreacting. With mindful self-compassion, we’re better able to recognize when we’re under stress and face what’s happening in our lives (mindfulness) and to take a kinder and more sustainable approach to life’s challenges with cultivating emotional strength and resilience. Laurie is a trained MSC teacher.
2020 Mindfulness Day Retreat for Parents/Caregivers at Campbell Hall School
“In our sessions, Laurie has been a counselor, cheerleader, spiritual guide, referee and shoulder to cry on. Whatever role she plays, my family is always left feeling enlightened and grounded.
-Family of Four”
Laurie is the co-creator of this program and co-facilitates these groups with Dr. Danielle Denenney
Laurie is the family program advisor at the la maida institute along with where she has her private practice.
Families face a lot of challenges in today's society: finding the right fit for your child/ren's education and extracurricular activities, the pressure of academic achievement, keeping up with social media and peer relationships, etc...and that is just for the children! When do we parents get to enjoy our families? Or have "me" time? Many of us are over-scheduled, over-stimulated and over-tired. It is time to slow down, get out of automatic pilot mode, connect to one another and savor what is already here. How do we do this? One way is through Mindful Awareness Practices.