“Have patience with everything unresolved and try to love the questions themselves” -Rilke
About Me
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with decades of experience working with adults in health and mental health settings. I was drawn to this work by a desire to connect with people and help alleviate their suffering.
Early in my career, I worked with people with severe mental illness, extensive trauma histories and those experiencing homelessness. For the last ten years, I’ve supported patients, families and caregivers in oncology, palliative care and chronic pain through my work at Kaiser.
I primarily understand people and their problems using a psychodynamic lens. I incorporate principles and interventions from Gestalt Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Existential Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well.
About You
Depression, Anxiety or just plain blah
Do you feel like you should be happier than you are? Are you feeling stuck or unmotivated? In these modern and disconnected times it’s not uncommon to feel… just not right even in the absence of a major life stressor. Many people enter therapy when it’s hard to even put a finger on what’s wrong but you know you haven’t been feeling right.
New and Experienced Parents
Parenting can be the most rewarding while at the same time, the most challenging venture many adults experience, especially in those early years. It can be challenging to hold onto a sense of self and identity while being subsumed in the care needs of a child. Parenting can bring up unresolved issues from your past and put strain on relations with your partner.
Cancer
Newly diagnosed with cancer and feeling overwhelmed? Recently out of treatment but don’t quite feel like celebrating? Grappling with quality of life or end of life concerns?
Chronic Pain
Chronic Pain conditions like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, sickle cell anemia or neuropathic pain can greatly limit and impact daily activities and quality of life and have a significant emotional component. Part of the healing work includes acceptance of this new, undesirable reality and then learning new skills to change how you relate to your pain condition to improve coping and function.
If you are interested in learning more please visit my website or get in touch.
Laura Matthews, LCSW #113197
6239 College Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 473-2533 hello@lauramatthewslcsw.com
