Biography
Dr. Laura S. Brown is a clinical and forensic psychologist in Seattle, Washington. She writes, trains, and speaks on feminist therapy theory and practice, trauma and memory, diversity, and psychological assessment. Dr. Brown has an independent practice where she specializes in working with survivors of trauma. She is also the founder and supervisor of the Fremont Community Therapy Project, a low-fee psychotherapy training clinic.
Background
Dr. Brown grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio where she first became active in movements for social justice that have shaped the direction of her career in psychology. Choosing a career in psychology over one as a vocalist, she received her B.A cum laude in 1972 from Case Western Reserve University, and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1977. She completed a predoctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at the Seattle Veteran's Administration Medical Center.
She previously served on the faculties of Southern Illinois University and the University of Washington and has taught and lectured through the U.S., Canada, Europe and Israel. In the early 1980s she hosted one of the first radio call-in shows by a psychologist.
Interests and accomplishments
Dr. Brown's work has been in the field of feminist therapy theory, trauma treatment, lesbian and gay issues, assessment and diagnosis, ethics and standards of care in psychotherapy, and multicultural issues. She has authored or edited six books including the award-winning Subversive Dialogues: Theory in Feminist Therapy as well as more than 100 other publications.
A Fellow of nine American Psychological Association divisions, she was awarded the Diplomate in Clinical Psychology in 1986 from the American Board of Professional Psychology and is a Distinguished Practitioner and Member of the National Academies of Practice in Psychology.
She has served on the editorial boards of numerous journals, and currently is a consulting editor for Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, Journal of Trauma Practice, Ethics and Behavior, Journal of Emotional Abuse, Psychology, Public Policy and the Law, and Journal of Clinical Psychology.
She is a former President of APA Divisions 35 (Society for the Psychology of Women) and 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues), and of the Washington State Psychological Association.
In the Fall of 2000, Dr. Brown worked as the on-site psychologist for the reality show "Survivor: The Australian Outback."
In 2003 Brown took up the study of Aikido, which she has begun to integrate into her understanding of the therapy process. Her co-therapist of many years is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and she has a continuing interest in the use of companion animals in psychotherapy practice.
She was the May 2, 2006 Jeopardy Champion.
Awards
Dr. Brown's work has led to many awards from her psychologist peers and more recently from her students. She has been honored for her scholarship, her activism, and her work as a mentor and leader on social justice issues in psychology.
- Fellow, American Psychological Association, Divisions 9, 12, 29, 35, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46
- Fellow, American Psychological Society, 1991
- Fellow, Western Psychological Association
- Distinguished Publication Award, Association for Women in Psychology, 1987, 1995
- Distinguished Contributions Award, American Psychological Association Committee on Lesbian and Gay Concerns, 1989
- Distinguished Psychologist Award, Washington State Psychological Association, 1989
- Distinguished Professional Contributions Award, APA Division 44, 1990
- Leadership Citation, American Psychological Association Committee on Women in Psychology, 1990
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights High School Alumni Hall of Fame, 1995
- American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Public Service, 1995
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Sarah Haley Memorial Award for Clinical Excellence, 1997
- Distinguished Practitioner, National Academy of Pracice in Psychology, Elected 1998
- Heritage Award for Practice, Division of Psychology of Women of the APA, 1998
- Visiting Fellow, British Psychological Society, 2001
- Raymond Fowler Award for Promotion of Student Professional Development, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students, 2003
- Distinguished Contributions Award, Society for the Psychology of Women Section on Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Issues, 2004
- Carolyn Wood Sherif Memorial Award, Society for the Psychology of Women, 2004