About Laura Merritt
Trauma And Anxiety Therapist & Educator

Finding the right therapist is about more than credentials, it's about finding someone whose perspective and experience resonates with you.

Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or personal growth, my goal is to help you better understand yourself, move beyond old patterns, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Schedule a Complimentary Consult

Who we are

Transforming Trauma Institute exists to revolutionize the way we understand trauma and healing

You deserve care that recognizes the complexity of your experiences and understands that no single approach to healing works for everyone. Your history, relationships, emotions, and the ways trauma has shaped your life all matter, and your treatment should reflect that individuality.

At Transforming Trauma Institute, you benefit from more than 20 years of clinical experience, rigorous training, and specialized expertise in trauma treatment. Drawing on EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, Somatic Experiencing, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, treatment integrates established evidence-based methods with advances in neuroscience and trauma research.

Your care is guided by clinical expertise, thoughtful assessment, and an understanding of how trauma affects the mind, body, emotions, and relationships. Each approach is carefully selected and adapted to your needs, with an emphasis on clinical precision, meaningful progress, and lasting change.

Whether you're seeking individual therapy, working toward a healthier relationship, or a therapist looking to strengthen your clinical skills, you'll find a commitment to thoughtful, individualized care grounded in science and extensive clinical experience.

coming soon
educational courses, continuing education programs, a book, and retreats and immersive learning experiences designed to expand the conversation around trauma and healing.
A woman with blonde wavy hair sitting in a black leather chair in an office setting, wearing a colorful patterned blouse and holding sunglasses in her hand.
A circular pattern of white fan blades on a black background, with blades arranged in a semi-circle emanating from a central point.

Laura Merrit

Your experiences shape how you move through the world, how you relate to others, and how you understand yourself. When trauma is part of your history, its effects can reach into areas of your life you may not immediately recognize.

You deserve a therapist who understands that complexity and brings the clinical expertise to work with it.

With more than twenty years of experience specializing in trauma treatment, Laura brings rigorous clinical training, extensive experience, and an integrative approach grounded in evidence-based therapies. Her work draws on advances in trauma research, neuroscience, along with a broader understanding of the emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions of healing.

Treatment is thoughtfully tailored to your history, your needs, and your goals. Rather than applying the same techniques to everyone, Laura draws on her clinical knowledge and experience to identify approaches that support meaningful and lasting change.

At the heart of this work is a belief in your capacity to heal and transform. The goal is to help you move beyond the patterns and experiences that have shaped your life, deepen your understanding of yourself, and create greater freedom in how you live and connect with others.

get in touch

education and experience

  • Laura Merritt, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience specializing in trauma, anxiety, relationships, and psychedelic-informed care. She has completed extensive postgraduate training in many of the leading evidence-based treatments for trauma, while also pursuing advanced education in emerging therapeutic approaches and cross-cultural healing traditions.

    Her advanced training includes:

    • Somatic Experiencing®

    • Prolonged Exposure for PTSD

    • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

    • Cognitive Therapy for Depression and Insomnia

    • Gottman Method Couples Therapy

    • Clinical Sexology for Intimacy

    • Clinical Hypnosis

    • California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) – Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research

    • Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) – MDMA Therapy Training Program

    • Polaris Insight Center – Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy

    • EMDR (EMDRIA)

    • Certified Trauma Specialist

    Licensed in Washington, California, and Texas.

  • Throughout her career, Laura has served as a therapist, clinical supervisor, researcher, educator, and consultant, helping individuals, couples, and fellow clinicians better understand trauma and the healing process.

    Her work integrates neuroscience, evidence-based trauma therapies, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and lessons learned from traditional healing practices to provide care that is individualized, thoughtful, and comprehensive. In addition to working directly with clients, Laura provides consultation to mental health professionals seeking to deepen their clinical skills in trauma treatment, psychedelic integration, and complex case conceptualization.

  • Laura is an international speaker, educator, and thought leader dedicated to advancing conversations around trauma, healing, and psychedelic-informed care. She has presented nationally and internationally on trauma treatment, ethical psychedelic practice, and the integration of science with traditional healing wisdom.

    Her expertise has been featured in Newsweek and Cybernews, and she is available for podcast interviews, keynote presentations, professional trainings, media commentary, and corporate wellness programs.

    Laura is also the founder of the Transforming Trauma Institute and author of an upcoming book exploring a more comprehensive model of trauma healing informed by both modern science and ancestral wisdom.

Brand Values

Whole-Person
Healing

Healing is rarely one-dimensional.

We believe lasting change comes from understanding the whole person—their thoughts, emotions, nervous system, relationships, lived experiences, and the meaning they make of them. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with you?" we ask, "What happened to you?" and "What do you need to heal?"

Curiosity
Over Certainty

Healing doesn't happen through rigid formulas.

We value curiosity, humility, and a willingness to keep learning, drawing from both evidence-based science and the wisdom of traditional healing practices. By staying open to new perspectives, we're able to provide care that is thoughtful, individualized, and responsive to each person's unique journey.

Healing
That Ripples Forward 

Healing is deeply personal, but it never happens in isolation.

When one person heals, relationships change, families grow stronger, and patterns that have been carried for generations can begin to shift. Our mission is to support healing that not only transforms individual lives but also creates a healthier legacy for those who come next.

Let's Discover What Healing Looks Like for You

Whether you're navigating anxiety, healing from trauma, strengthening your relationship, or seeking professional consultation, I'm here to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.

Book Your Consultation