Laura Van Gilder(She/Her/Hers)
Academy of Clinical Social Workers, ACSW
California
Autism spectrum disorder-Child mental health-Communication issues- Depression-Parenting-Childhood trauma-
Laura Van Gilder
Vetted
(She/Her/Hers)
See Laura's Details for:
Professional statement
Laura is an Associate Clinical Social Worker with a diverse clientele spanning various demographics. Her specialty lies in working with children, particularly those who are neurodivergent, along with their families.
Laura currently practices at A Place To Turn in Westlake Village, CA, offering both in-person and telehealth sessions. Her therapeutic approach is tailored to each client's unique needs, recognizing that every individual has their own strengths and challenges.
Laura's experience as a mother of two neurodivergent children deepens her empathy for the daily challenges families face. She has also worked as a preschool teacher, engaging with young children and their families, and served as an ABA therapist with neurodivergent children. Laura earned her Associate’s degree in Child Development from Moorpark College and later returned to school to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in ABA Psychology from Purdue Global University. She then attended USC for her Master’s in Social Work. This combination of personal experience and professional education enriches Laura’s practice and enhances her effectiveness as a clinician.
Work and Education
UCLA, PEERS Certificate, 2024
USC, Master of Social Work, 2023
Purdue Global University, Bachelor of Arts, 2021
Moorpark College, Associate Degree, 2010
Licensure
California: 119690Supervisor: Amy Gandin(LMFT 40813)
Languages
EnglishSpecialties
Autism spectrum disorder - Support understanding the diagnosis and related challenges and strengths; skill-building in areas of daily routine, transitions, coping with overwhelming sensory experiences, social skills, and emotion identification and regulation
Child mental health - Specialized strategies for common childhood disorders including attention issues, attachment problems, behavioral disorders, learning disorders, autism spectrum diagnoses, and feeding or elimination issues.
Communication issues - Developing effective interpersonal skills in relationships with partners, families, and co-workers; using healthy methods of communication to convey needs and respond to others
Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life
Parenting - Helping parents develop and implement strategies to address challenges that arise throughout childrearing; managing stress and increasing support
Childhood trauma - Learning how traumatic events in childhood can translate into adulthood; processing through difficult memories with the goal of moving past the experience and lingering symptoms
General expertise
Treatment approaches
Clientele
- Adults (24+)
- Children (<12)
- Couples
- Families
- Parents
- Teenagers (13-18)
- Young adults (18-24)
Locations & Hours
Insurance
- Aetna
- AmeriHealth
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Shield of California
- Carelon
- Cigna
- Coventry Health
- Evernorth
- Holman Group
- Humana
- Magellan Health
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare Shared Services
- Wellcare Health Plans
Out-of-pocket fees
- Individual sessions:$250 (45min)
- Sliding scale:$100 - $250