Laura Kavanagh(She/Her/Hers)

Dr. Laura Sobik Kavanagh (she/hers) is a clinical psychologist in Providence, RI. Her clinical specialties include depression, trauma, substance use and abuse, and gender and sexual identity development as they intersect with life events, chronic physical and psychological conditions, and socio-political context.

Many of her clients who have struggled with substance abuse, trauma, and mood disorders hold one or more marginalized identities including women, gender diverse or trans-identifying, POC, people experiencing chronic or situational financial strain. Accordingly, Dr. Sobik Kavanagh defines her therapy approach as relational-cultural/trans-inclusive feminist, trauma-informed, and rooted in a social justice framework.

Her clinical style is dynamic, relationship-focused, and in-the-moment, and she will also utilize interventions from other approaches such as dialectal behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. She strongly values body and sex positivity, particularly in context of trauma, gender and body dysphoria, and complicated relationships with alcohol, substances, and food.

Dr. Sobik Kavanagh identifies as queer/lesbian and her work with the queer community holds expansive & fluid definitions of sexuality & gender. She actively works to remove barriers to gender-affirming care. She was the 2019 recipient of the Bates-Clapp Award "commending work with & for gender diverse students across the Brown campus that directly enhance well-being and strengthen self-compassion in this community.”

Dr. Sobik Kavanagh works with each individual to best understand their needs in the moment and over time, ensuring a shared understanding of their goals, limits and boundaries, and how they want to define progress in therapy. She values open communication, safety in the therapeutic relationship, and self-compassion as necessary for the process of change. At present, she is available to meet in both person in her Providence office and via telehealth sessions.