Mindful Counseling owner Laura Lockwood, LCSW, in her office on 46th Street in Los Alamos. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Laura Lockwood, LCSW, has launched her private practice, Mindful Counseling, in Los Alamos.

“My husband and I moved here from Akron, Ohio in October due to his employment at N3B,” Lockwood said. “I was nervous to move to a small town but have been pleasantly surprised by the level of friendliness of those who I have met, and all that Los Alamos has to offer in its beauty, wildlife, and outdoor activities. I also love all the sunny days we get here as opposed to the grey winter days of Ohio. I love to exercise, read, spend time with family, and practice yoga.”

Lockwood and her husband are recent empty nesters with three grown children, so she said now is a perfect time for her to go into private practice on her own and focus on her career.

“I have always dreamed of seeing clients in a home office and the perfect opportunity opened up when we found a home to buy on 46th Street conducive to this set up with a separate entrance, parking and privacy for clients,” Lockwood said.

Mindful Counseling Services Include:

• Individual Counseling – Using cognitive behavioral therapy and empathetic listening I work with you to formulate a plan to address anxiety, depression, grief, or a history of trauma.
• Couples Counseling – Some couples simply need a mediator to help them feel heard and understood by their partner.  My training in Emotion Focused Therapy can help facilitate this advanced form of communication and connection.  
• Family Therapy – Parenting is one of the hardest jobs out there.  We can bring the family together to facilitate positive change in boundaries, communication, and connection.

“I am excited and eager to be an asset to the Los Alamos community by using the counseling skills that I have developed over 20 years of doing therapy,” Lockwood said. “For the past four months as I have set up my business and immersed myself in the community, I have missed my work in counseling and helping others overcome obstacles to their mental health and relationship goals. The last six years I spent working in the largest private practice in the state of Ohio, helping clients with anxiety and depression, overcome trauma histories, work through grief, and enhance their relationships. I see clients as young as 12 and I have a special place in my heart for the elderly.”

Lockwood explains that it can sometimes be intimidating to seek help for mental health. She said people deserve to find someone who will listen empathetically, offer evidence-based therapy and validate their feelings and concerns. She said in her practice, she works together with her clients to formulate solutions that work for them in an informed, personalized and compassionate way.

“I have more than 20 years of experience working in mental health settings, helping clients develop coping skills to manage and overcome the stressors they face,” she said. “From psychiatric inpatient unit, partial hospitalization, outpatient clinic, and private practice; I have worked with clients in all levels of care. The last six years I worked for a private practice in Ohio where I served clients in the Akron area empowering them to reach their goals of emotional wellbeing.”

Lockwood holds a master’s degree in social work, is a Licensed Independent Social Worker and trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Training (MBCT).

Hours of Operation:

• Monday 5-8 p.m.
• Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Wednesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday Closed.

Contact Lockwood at 505.500.4282 or laurainlosalamos@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.bestmindfulcounseling.com.