Background

Laura Zelaya is a bilingual (English and Spanish) Licensed Master’s Social Worker who is currently receiving supervision towards her clinical licensure. She is a first-generation, U.S. born Salvadoran, born and raised in Houston, TX. Laura received her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, where she completed a macro concentration with a focus in health and behavioral health. Laura also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. Laura’s passion for mental health comes from her personal experience with medical trauma and seeing how the stressors of migrating due to violence manifested in her family. She is committed to holistic care and generational healing. She understands that nothing happens in isolation, which is why she approaches working with clients through a holistic lens, centering the client’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Laura loves to read and write, and uses books and writing as tools to help clients process and navigate their experiences.

Training

Laura has extensive experience working with immigrant and refugee communities, first-time birth parents, caregivers, people that have experienced trauma, such as survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, child abuse, and family separation due to migration. Additionally, she has experience working with children with disabilities and communication disorders, both as a Speech Language Pathologist-Assistant and Social Worker. She is committed to working with children and adults with disabilities, caregivers, first-generation students, and people navigating the complexities of oppressive systems. Laura incorporates techniques from strengths-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and play therapy