Background & Certifications
- Master’s in Social Work
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- EMDR Certification
- Trauma-Informed Yoga Trained
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Arizona
- The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) Phase I Certification
Laurel’s Professional Bio
Laurel Alexander’s interest in neurodevelopment began while working as a one-on-one special education aid in a “Severe and Profound Disability” program. During this time, she became aware of the unique needs of the autistic population and found that she got along extremely well with the non-speaking autistic students. She also taught swimming lessons to special education children while attending school.
Laurel began her social work career as a case manager for a children’s behavioral health agency. She began to see the gaps in resources for neurodivergent youth and sought to help this by returning to school to do therapy as a clinical social worker.
While in graduate school, Laurel was a fellow in Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) from 2015-2016. In LEND, Laurel joined an interprofessional group of scholars and attended weekly didactic lectures, completed a research project, a Leadership project, and volunteered clinical hours with the population through Children’s Clinics.
She was mentored by Dr. Sydney Rice, MD, a Developmental Pediatrician, and personally observed many autism evaluations of various ages. Laurel interned at the U.S. Attorney’s office as a Victim/Witness Advocate. After graduating with a minor in Dance, Music, and Alternative Therapies, Laurel provided trauma therapy for children and parents involved in the foster care system.
She completed Parent/Child Relationship Assessments with an attachment lens. Laurel consistently found that the traditional first lines of approach for treatment were not helpful for neurodivergent clients unless they were modified or adjusted in some way.
Disillusioned by the barriers to quality care, Laurel left therapy to do neuropsychological assessments as a trained psychometrist. Again, Laurel was able to observe autism and ADHD evaluations daily. Laurel found that the typical assessments were shaming and pathologizing. Laurel now specializes in trauma therapy for neurodivergent adults who may need modifications or alternatives to traditional therapies.
Laurel has found appropriate and approved modifications for EMDR and other treatment modalities that make therapy more successful for neurodivergent clients. She is passionate about finding ways to make therapy work for all.
LAUREL ALEXANDER, LCSW
📞 520-200-7385
✉️ laurel@neurosparkhealth.com
Laurel is currently accepting new clients for therapy in Arizona, Vermont, Florida, and Virginia, and coaching clients nationwide.
