Laura Van Wyk, LCSW, MA

Laura Van Wyk is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.  She received her social work degree from New York University in 2009.  Laura received a Master’s Degree in International Political and Economic Development from Fordham University 2003 and her undergraduate degree in international relations from American University in 2000.

 

Laura has practiced in diverse settings since earning her social work degree.  She spent over six years working at Rikers Island as a mental health clinician for the most severely mentally ill women and men detained on the Island. She then went on to work in public defense at the Legal Aid Society where she was assigned as a mitigation specialist in the original team of the Homicide Defense Task Force.  In addition to working in forensics, Laura has worked in various outpatient mental health settings throughout New York City counseling individuals, families, and couples. 

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Laura specializes in working with clients around sexuality issues.  These included those who are engaged or interested in exploring kink, BDSM, ethical non-monogamy, and swinging/lifestyle.  Particular communities that she works with are sex workers and the LGBTQI+ community (with an emphasis on gender identity and transition issues). 

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Laura is an AASECT (American Association of  Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) certified provider and an EMDRIA approved EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy provider.  She has also completed training in Ketamine and Psychedelic Medicine Psychotherapy.

 

Laura is particularly interested in treating those who are exploring their sex lives, whether it be individually or with a partner(s). She works with individuals who have experienced sex being used in a way that has caused trauma to them.  She is passionate about helping individuals not only work through that trauma but develop a healthy relationship with sex.  

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