Laura Fuller, M.A., C.Ht. , MFT Intern 78211

SUMMARY:

I am interested in human experience and thriving at the levels of body, brain, language, subconscious, culture, energy, and environment. I take an approach to learning that combines theories and paradigms, investigating them both practically and as metaphors. I use these areas of interest to help people and intend to continue my learning and contribution through clinical practice, teaching, and publication.

EDUCATION:

  • Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Tarzana, CA Certificate of Clinical Hypnotherapy, 2013
  • Pacifica Graduate Institute, Carpinteria, CA Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, 2012
  • University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts in World Arts and Cultures, 2005

OTHER RECENT TRAINING:

  • Ericksonian Hypnosis in the Treatment of Depression with Drs. Michael Yapko, Carolyn Daitch, and other presenters through Online Psychotherapy Seminars.
  • How to Target Treatment to Help Patients Reclaim Their Lives After Trauma with Bessel van der Kolk MD. Online seminar through the National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine, 2015
  • Life at the Edge of Possibility: Ericksonian Hypnosis Seminar. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA 2015
  • Therapeutic Imagery Certification Program with Cheryl O’Neil, C.Ht, Tarzana, CA. 2013 - present
  • Brain Change Therapy: The Heart of Forgiveness, From Trauma to Thriving with Drs. Bill Wade and Carole Kershaw. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, 2012

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE:

Private Practice in Hypnotherapy, Los Angeles, CA     2013 to Present   Assists clients on life improvement goals and stress reduction, including work through conscious and subconscious mind.

Matrix Institute on Addictions, Los Angeles, CA     2013 to 2015   Matrix is a non-profit, CARF-accredited organization, established in 1984 to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by alcohol and other drug use through treatment, education, training, and research.

Independent Consultant, Meditation Specialist

  • Led mindfulness groups for early recovery integrating understandings of trauma and neuroscience.
  • Conducted individual therapeutic imagery and hypnosis sessions as adjunct to treatment.

Marriage and Family Therapy Intern

  • Led Cognitive Behavioral groups, Family Education, and individual and conjoint sessions.

Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, Los Angeles, CA     September 2009 to April 2011     LAGLC provides a broad array of services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, welcoming nearly a quarter-million client visits from ethnically diverse youth and adults each year.

Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee

  • Provided psychotherapy for individuals, couples, and groups. Created an environment of deep connection and empathy with both long and short-term clients on a weekly basis.
  • Worked with clients dealing with dual diagnosis, anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, life transitions, relationship, identity, and sexuality issues from a dynamic, humanistic approach also utilizing depth psychological, insight oriented, somatic, and behavioral interventions.
  • Conducted new client intake evaluations, prepared and followed treatment plans, and wrote weekly case notes.
  • Created, implemented, and co-facilitated a therapeutic mindfulness group.

Training Received at Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Included:

  • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Couples Counseling
  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse within the LGBT population
  • Domestic Violence in LGBT relationships
  • Understanding Homophobia: Cultural, Institutional, Interpersonal, and Internalized
  • Attachment Theory
  • Trauma and Somatic Theories
  •  Working with Transgendered and Transsexual Clients

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, West Los Angeles, CA    June 2006 to Present       Department of Recreation and Parks promotes community welfare through programs and services offered at 420 parks citywide.

Recreation Instructor

  •  Creating programs, teaching, and teacher training in Embodied Gymnastics and yoga.

Life Moves Through, Los Angeles, CA     February 2001 to Present

An organization for education and therapy that is embodied, holistic, and ecological. A collection of teachers facilitation yoga, conscious movement and Embodied Gymnastics, as well as a resource for somatic therapies – including Polarity Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and Therapeutic Yoga. Our mission is to help people connect with the wisdom and strength of the body and earth, with values for integrity, intelligence, and action, as well as an openness to depth and the spiritual realms of life.

Director/Owner

  • Teaching yoga schools and preschools, directing programs in yoga, Adaptive and Inclusive Yoga, and Embodied Gymnastics in incorporated cities, facilitating workshops and teacher trainings emphasizing the use of somatic tools, mindfulness, practical psychology, and brain state.
  •  Private sessions utilizing mindfulness techniques

PUBLICATIONS:

 

Moving Wholeness on the Streets of LA: The LAPD (Los Angeles Poverty Department) Glimpses Utopia. An account of the author’s experience in a project that looked at the somatic healing of social structure, seeking to move the energy of a city. Laura Fuller. Somatics Journal. 2009

Flesh and Soul: The Necessity of Hands-On Somatic Psychology in a Disconnected Culture. An exploration of the tabooing of touch in psychotherapy and the paradigm it implies. An alternative paradigm of touch is presented as a means to transform broken logic systems, draw in the wisdom of the body, and create a foundation for the development of hands-on therapeutic techniques within psychotherapy. Laura Fuller. ProQuest. 2012

Why Depth Needs the Body. Foundations to frame somatic psychology as a form of depth psychology and the statement that somatic psychology must also include the cultural, social, environmental, and political. For, these are as integral to our cells as to our soul. Laura Fuller, MA. Somatics Journal 2013.

Gymnastics, Hypnotically Speaking: How to use Language to Create Powerful Possibilities for your Students. Ericksonian language patterns and transformational grammar are applied to teaching movement and education in general. A theory of considering language as suggestion – rather than only as reinforcement – is presented. Laura Fuller, MA, CHt. United States Association of Gymnastics Technique Magazine, November 2014  

Bringing the Brain to Class:  The Neuroscience of Movement A basic understanding is given that brain and nervous system development underlies all behavior and perception. Recommendations are given for teachers to consider how they can use movement, environment, and the relationship between teacher and student to help the brain and nervous system balance and develop in a way to promotes resiliency and enjoyment.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

  • American Hypnosis Association, Member, 2013 to Present
  • American Polarity Therapy Association, 2011 to Present
  • California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, 2007 to Present