Laura Merritt
Laura Merritt
Locations Seattle Therapists Laura Merritt
Laura Merritt

Laura Merritt

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, LICSW
Washington Accepting Online
Westlake Accepting In-person
Updated October 26, 2020

Specialties & Expertise

  • Anxiety
  • Stress management
  • Mindfulness
  • Sleep disorders
  • Trauma
  • Perfectionism
  • Sex therapy

Professional statement

Laura Merritt is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the Pioneer Square area of downtown Seattle who specializes in anxiety and panic disorders, stress management, sleep disorders, trauma, and perfectionism. She sees adults across the lifespan, including individuals in the tech world who are navigating work stress and the pressure to succeed.

With nearly 20 years of experience in mental health and wellness, Laura offers a holistic approach that draws from evidence-based strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as time tested techniques from the yogic traditions such as meditation and mindfulness. These practices can help clients become more aware of signs of stress and learn how to challenge negative thoughts. As a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher, she helps clients connect their mind, body, and spirit for a holistic healing experience with the focus on connecting with their true selves.

Laura also focuses on helping clients build resilience and find meaning and a purpose in their life. She spends some sessions educating her clients on their symptoms and how anxiety and panic are related. She then offers concrete tools to help them better cope with these symptoms. For clients who have chosen to explore non-ordinary states of consciousness, Laura offers a safe, confidential and informed space for the processing and integration of these experiences.

Laura offers a safe space for clients to begin their journey towards healing in addition to helping them become more empowered and ready to take control of their life. Before starting her private practice, she worked in an outpatient PTSD veterans clinic for ten years. Her office is conveniently located to the Pioneer Square light rail station.

Message to clients

You've taken an important first step by being here at this site at this very moment. For many people, they are not quite sure what they want from therapy but they know they want something to be different. Perhaps you no longer want anxiety, stress or previous traumatic experiences to hold you back from your fullest potential. Perhaps you see a need to focus on self care and want to create work/life balance. Perhaps you're reevaluating your career or workplace environment and want to deepen your sense of meaning and purpose. Perhaps you have explored plant medicine, entheogenics, or psychedelics and are looking to integrate the information and experience. Perhaps something is holding you back from living your fullest potential, you're not quite sure what it is but you want to break-free of those limitations. Whatever it is that you'd like to see change, I will be your partner in your growth and healing, you just have to show up.

Specialties

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Stress management - Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others

Mindfulness - Practices to encourage a state of active, open attention on the present

Sleep disorders - Exploring ways to improve sleep patterns, develop healthy sleep hygiene, master relaxation techniques, manage stressors, reduce worrying, and address insomnia

Trauma - Coping and healing after threatening or scary events, such as witnessing accidents or experiencing sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse

Perfectionism - Coping with feelings of anxiety, stress, self-criticism, and procrastination; addressing unrealistic expectations of one’s self and negatively comparing self to others

Sex therapy - Addressing emotional, physical, and biological concerns related to sexual intimacy and functioning; education and skill building around topics such as erectile dysfunction, orgasms, low libido, shame, and history of abuse; improving communication to realize a fulfilling sex life

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Couples

Insurance

  • First Choice Health
  • Modern Health Insurance

Laura Merritt is accepting clients using listed insurances, paying listed fees, or using health insurance out-of-network benefits other than:

  • Premera Blue Cross

Out-of-pocket fees

  • Ongoing sessions: $170 (50min)

Additional session information

Out-of-network billing options

This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

  • Super billing
Payment options
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • PayPal
  • Venmo
Session frequency

Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

  • Weekly

Location(s)

Westlake practice
1700 Westlake Avenue North, #200, Seattle, WA 98109
Accepting new clients in-person
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed
Online Sessions (Washington)
Accepting new clients online
Currently Available Times
  • Morning (Before 10am)
  • Daytime (10am - 1pm)
  • Afternoon (1pm - 5pm)
  • Evening (After 5pm)
  • Weekends
Regular Hours
  • Mon Closed
  • Tue 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Wed 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Thu 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Fri 10:00am-6:00pm
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Work and Education

Private Practice, 2018 - Present
Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD Clinic, 2008 - 2018
La Frontera Community Mental Health Clinic, 2005 - 2008
Sierra Tucson, 2004 - 2005
COPE Community Mental Health Clinic, 2000 - 2005

Arizona State University, MSW, 2004
University of Arizona, BS in Psychology, 2000

Languages

English