Laura Sgro, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Expertise:
Trauma, Anxiety
About
Laura Sgro, LCSW works with folks across California seeking to enhance their connection to themselves and others. After earning her Master of Social Work from Simmons University, she went on to work with children, teens, and families in a variety of clinical settings, including outpatient, school-based, in-home, wraparound, and residential programs before opening her private practice in 2021. In her practice, Laura works with adults of diverse identities and backgrounds, and is especially passionate about supporting neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ folks. Her clients often struggle with anxiety, perfectionism, complex family dynamics, attachment and interpersonal issues, and relational trauma.
Laura utilizes evidence-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness techniques, while integrating experiential approaches, including Brainspotting and Internal Family Systems (IFS), to personalize each client’s care. Her clinical work is rooted in her core values of authenticity, integrity, exploration, connection, intersectionality, and growth. With these guiding principles, alongside humor and a laid-back, conversational style, Laura strives to create an environment where clients feel safe to bring their whole selves into therapy and achieve meaningful and sustainable change.
In addition to her clinical work, Laura is an engaging speaker and develops psychoeducational content in her quest to make mental health information more accessible. She has been a guest on several podcasts, spoken at health and wellness events throughout Los Angeles and virtually, and been featured in various media outlets, including TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Everyday Health, and Psych Central. Laura currently serves as Program Chair for the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization We Hike to Heal, a women’s empowerment organization focusing on integrating the outdoors as healing and a source of community for women. Previously, Laura served as the Communications Chair for the Los Angeles Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
When she isn’t working, Laura can usually be found curled up with her cat reading a book, singing with her a cappella group, or hiking with friends.
Professional Experience
Education & Training:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine
Master of Social Work, Simmons University
Current Roles:
Founder & Licensed Therapist at Out of the Woods Therapy
Program Chair, Board of Directors at We Hike to Heal, Inc.
Understanding & Supporting Your Nervous System is a neuroscience-informed guide for folks who feel overwhelmed, on edge, or shut down and want to better understand what's happening in their bodies. You'll learn how the nervous system works through a polyvagal-informed lens, including the influence of different factors on your reactions to stress. You'll learn to recognize your body's cues, identify your stress and survival responses, and track your own nervous system states to better address what your nervous system needs during moments of distress. Through practical exercises and gentle reflection, this guide offers evidence-based regulation strategies you can use in daily life. Rooted in trauma-informed care, this resource will help you build a more compassionate, trusting relationship with your nervous system over time.
More coming soon!
by Laura Sgro, LCSW
Laura is working on additional courses to help you on your healing journey. Stay tuned for more evidence-based content.