Laura Aquije, Psy.D.

Therapeutic Approach:
I approach therapy through a holistic biopsychosocial-spiritual lens, aiming to understand the full spectrum of my client’s experiences and challenges. My practice is rooted in a non-judgmental, warm and affirming, and culturally sensitive stance, recognizing how multicultural and social justice issues can affect one’s mental health and lived experiences. By creating a trusting, nurturing, supportive, and safe environment, I work collaboratively with my clients to enhance their self-awareness and harness their existing strengths to foster self-growth, healing, and resilience. My interventions are grounded in strength-based, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness, relational approaches to address trauma, depression, and anxiety.

Background:
I obtained my doctoral degree in clinical psychology with a multicultural community-clinic psychology emphasis from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in Los Angeles. I completed an APA accredited predoctoral internship at a primary care community clinic, where I received generalist training in providing integrated care to underserved communities across the lifespan, addressing their medical and mental health challenges. Additionally, I conducted brief and comprehensive psychological assessments to clarify neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, personality, and psychopathology diagnoses, which informed treatment planning. Throughout my doctoral training, I have provided individual, group, and family therapy to diverse and underserved children, adolescents, and adults in various settings, including community mental health centers, juvenile correctional facility, outpatient clinic, and primary care. I am passionate about working with individuals from diverse and marginalized backgrounds, such as people of color and the LGBTQIA2S+ community.