Laura S. Brown is a clinical and forensic psychologist in independent practice in Seattle, Washington. A writer and speaker on feminist therapy theory and practice, she offers workshops and trainings to professionals and the public on such topics as trauma treatment, cultural competence, psychological assessment, and ethics. She is also the founder and supervisor of the Fremont Community Therapy Project, a low-fee psychotherapy training clinic in Seattle.

Upcoming Presentations

Can We Create Social Justice? A Challenge for Trauma Psychologists
Division of Trauma Psychology Presidential Address
APA Convention, San Diego, California
Saturday, August 14th, 4:00 pm
San Diego Convention Center, Room 25C

Recent Publications

• Brown, L.S. (2009). Feminist therapy. American Psychological Association.
• Brown, L.S. (2009). Cultural competence in the treatment of complex trauma. In C. Courtois & J. Ford (Eds.) Complex traumatic stress disorders: An evidence-based clinician’s guide. New York NY: Guilford Press
• Brown, L.S. & Freyd, J. J. (2008). PTSD Criterion A and betrayal trauma: A modest proposal for a new look at what constitutes a danger to self. Trauma Psychology Newsletter, 3(1), pp. 11-15.
• Brown, L.S. (2008) Cultural competence in trauma therapy: Beyond the flashback. American Psychological Association.
• Brown, L.S. (2008). Feminist therapy. In J.L Lebow (Ed.) Twenty-First Century Psychotherapies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.

Laura's book, Cultural Competence in Trauma Therapy: Beyond the Flashback was published in March 2008 by APA.

This book was written because few of the excellent models that have been developed for working with trauma survivors take into account the complexity of an individual's unique background and experience. Even treatment for people identified as "diverse" often ignores the individual's multilayered identities--which may include age, social class, ethnicity, religious faith, sexual orientation, and immigrant status--in favor of a "one-size-fits all" approach.

This volume offers multiple strategies for therapists to become aware of both dominant group privilege and of their own identity and culture as well as those of clients. The book has a practical focus and contains a variety of case studies illustrating how theoretical constructs can inform assessment and treatment.

• Read the review from PsycCRITIQUES.
• Order a copy from amazon.com or APA books.

Videos

The APA Video Series now has available all four of Laura's psychotherapy videos. The most recent video, titled Feminist Therapy Over Time, shows Laura conducting six therapy sessions with a recently clean and sober client. Working with Men Survivors of Trauma and Abuse and Working with Women Survivors of Trauma and Abuse show Laura demonstrating the use of feminist therapy strategies with a two clients who are survivors of abusive families.

If you'd like a chance to see how Laura puts feminist theory into practice these videos afford an excellent opportunity to observe her work. The tapes also include post-session commentaries in which she discusses how specific aspects of the sessions reflect her feminist theoretical orientation. Both of these are available in VHS or DVD formats from APA Online. APA has re-released Laura's classic Feminist Therapy video in DVD format.

Read the review of Working with Men Survivors of Trauma and Abuse in PsychCritiques.